Coastal Scene Column - 20th January 2012

"The long parliamentary campaign to bring proper mobile broadband to rural areas has taken a huge stride forward. Theregulator OFCOM finally announced its proposals for the auction of 4G broadband to include coverage to at least 98% of the UK population. Current 3G coverage is only about 80% of the population while mobile phone companies are only currently obliged to cover 95% of the population, 90% of the time for phone calls.

As I said in the House of Commons last May, there was a risk OFCOM is being penny wise, pound foolish and that in future it could become very expensive for this country to have truly mobile broadband. My select committee challenged OFCOM's coverage target of 95% as being unambitious back in November and we re-iterated the call for a 98% coverage obligation. Thankfully in last week's announcement, OFCOM proposed options which should ensure that 98% or more of the population receives 4G mobile broadband coverage. This means that many who currently do not have a mobile signal will now receive one, and that millions more will have their signal upgraded from a 2G 'voice' signal to a 4G signal, capable of carrying broadband data.

This investment will transform the fortune of small and medium sized businesses, currently hamstrung by inadequate mobile phone and internet coverage. Homes, schools, farms and businesses will get access to decent mobile and internet coverage for the first time. I think it is also very good news for our tourism industry and hopefully we can get going quickly on the auction and deployment of the technology.

This week is Big Energy Week, the Citizen's Advice initiative to help consumers spend less heating their home. Many residents have been hit with an increase in energy bills this year and as part of the solution, uSwitch.com has launched a service called 'Send us your bill', designed to help households that are not online to get accurate and impartial information about energy prices and to switch to a cheaper deal. Constituents interested in the 'Send us your bill' service should post a copy of their latest energy bill with a contact telephone number to: FREEPOST USWITCH. Alternatively, people can call 0800 093 06 07 to speak to a customer services adviser. Send in your bill and make sure Big Energy Week works for you.

The Saxmundham Free School is carrying out its consultation and 8th February is the last day to submit your views. Go online to www.saxmundhamfreeschool.org.uk to find out more. I am supporting the Free School as there is a clear demand from parents and from people in the town for a High School. That is not to criticise Leiston Community High School and I don't. I do believe that parents having choice is good for raising standards across the board. Change and uncertainty are unsettling but have a read and give your view.

Finally, there were further disappointing results on the Ambulance Service. With other Suffolk MPs, I will continue to press the case for patients who by definition are at their most vulnerable awaiting emergency medical support."

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