Building new digital infrastructure in Blackpool is crucial to re-igniting the town’s economy, according to a recent study by GOV.UK.
The Blackpool Connectivity and Tourism Case Study, published at the end of 2022, conducted interviews with representatives of the Blackpool Council, local business owners, residents and tourists.
The vast majority of participants said faster and more stable internet connections would help attract new businesses and give the town’s declining tourism sector a welcome boost.
Affordable and accessible broadband would also help residents access essential services, as well as new employment and educational opportunities.
Why Blackpool needs better broadband
Blackpool remains one of the UK’s most deprived towns. Eight of the top 10 most deprived communities are in Blackpool and almost 50% of local households are below the poverty line.
“Blackpool is one of the UK’s ‘left behind’ areas,” writes one of the study’s authors. “Low wages, low employment rates, high levels of benefit claimants, poor health and high exclusion rates from school, mean that child poverty is unacceptably prevalent in the town.”
“Together, this has created poor economic conditions that are further exacerbated by a high proportion of residents with long-term debilitating illnesses and some of the poorest mental and physical health outcomes in the country.”
Improving the town’s digital infrastructure would be transformative, not just for the next few years but for generations ahead in Blackpool.
“Too many homes and businesses in Blackpool do not have access to the internet they need or deserve,” states the report. “If we are to tackle deprivation and unlock Blackpool’s economic potential in a meaningful way, then we need to provide the town and its residents with quality, 21st-century broadband at a reasonable price.”
6G Internet: Bringing better broadband to Blackpool
Blackpool needs better broadband and 6G Internet is delivering it right now.
6G Internet’s first connections went live in Blackpool a few months ago.
Thanks to our new network, residents can get enough broadband to support browsing, streaming, gaming and home working on multiple devices for less than £20p/m.
Every connection includes free installation, a no-price-rise promise and, because we deliver air fibre broadband, customers don’t have to pay extra for a landline connection they never use.
Our Internet for everyone campaign also donates 20% of all network coverage to schools, charities and local organisations in need and it’s providing tablets and other digital devices to families experiencing economic hardship.
“Blackpool now has access to broadband that’s as fast and cheap as anywhere else in the UK,” said a 6G Internet spokesperson. “It’s a true game-changer. Residents and businesses can now take full advantage of 21st-century technology and services. If anywhere deserved this digital upgrade, then it was Blackpool. We’re excited to see the impact the new network will have.”