Fibre broadband hailed as reinvigorating rural communities

Fibre optic broadband can help to breathe new life into rural communities, the Fibre to the Home Council Europe (FTTHCE) has announced.

According to the organisation, which exists to accelerate the availability of ultra-fast broadband, many governments are starting to recognise that next-generation access is a cost-effective way to boost service provision away from urban centres.

This will help to decrease the chance of mega-cities thriving while rural communities struggle, which few administrations or voters believe is an attractive option, the FTTHCE stated.

"Authorities in many rural areas are struggling to keep communities alive, as younger people leave to pursue careers in capital cities. The result is a spiral of decline in services and infrastructure," it added.

The matter was discussed by several thousand delegates at the European Week of Regions and Cities open days in Brussels, which finished yesterday (October 13th 2011).

As well as benefiting rural communities, fibre to the home has the power to improve the economy and the environment, the council claims.