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<p>The Church of England recently signed an Accord with Her Majesty’s Government to
enable churches to improve broadband and mobile connectivity, particularly in rural
areas. The Accord sets out how the Government and the Church can collaborate to help
achieve this. Specifically, companies are being invited to tender to provide connectivity
under a framework agreement with rural parish churches. The intention of the Accord
is to indicate to Church Chancellors, Diocesan Advisory Committees and Local Planning
Departments that there is no institutional barrier to this technology being used to
promote connectivity in a manner appropriate for the community.</p><p>Currently, 86.4%
of households in the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency can access superfast speeds
- up from 5% in 2011. Church buildings and property may be a good way to reach the
last 13.6% of the constituency.</p><p>The Church of England is in the process setting
up a working group with interested dioceses to identify areas where further work or
guidance may be required to support the Accord. Discussions are also ongoing with
the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to establish where the barriers
are to progress this project further.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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