BROADBAND minister Matthew Hancock is backing Winsford MP Antoinette Sandbach, in her calls for network providers to make sure that people across the region are better connected.

Ms Sandbach said that she was amazed at the number of people who said they had poor mobile network coverage and slow internet speeds, rather than superfast connections, which enables families to be online at the same time.

She said: “I was surprised to hear that some people in Eddisbury are not receiving a good mobile signal and need better broadband links.

“In this day and age people take access to high-speed internet connections for granted, so it’s not right is they are not getting a service that they are paying for.”

“Having campaigned and had success for better broadband and mobile coverage in some rural areas in parts of North Wales already I am determined to do the same in Cheshire and am encouraging residents to take part in my broadband survey.”

Praising Antoinette for highlighting the concerns of residents, MrHancock, the Minister of State for Digital and Culture, said: “I am pleased Antoinette is petitioning network providers to bring about better speeds.

“Fast, reliable connectivity through broadband and mobile has become the fourth utility, as essential to modern life as access to water or electricity.

“This Government is providing families and businesses in hard-to-reach areas with access to superfast internet connections through our £1.7 billion broadband delivery programme.

“More than 17,600 connections have already been installed in Eddisbury, and almost 2,000 more will be delivered by June next year in a further sign of our commitment to build a country that works for everyone.”

“I would urge anyone struggling with slow broadband to check whether faster speeds are available to them by visiting www.gov.uk/gosuperfast.”