When it comes to internet access, Liverpool seems to have it more difficult than most. A quick look back over the years and you’ll see various headlines on the internet about digital exclusion in Liverpool and how more and more people here are finally starting to get online. What’s been going on?
It’s Liverpool
The ‘Go on, it’s Liverpool’ campaign, which raised awareness about the internet and showed people the benefits of using it, encouraged a lot more people to use the internet. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the number of people who do use the internet in Liverpool increased from 70.8 to 82.7%. They found this when they compared data from April to June 2011 to the same period in 2012.
Digital exclusion still an issue in 2015
Fast forward to 2015 and there have still been reports of considerable digital exclusion in Liverpool. Stats from the ONS revealed that 14.8 % of the population had never used the internet. There were also frightening comparisons between Liverpool and developing countries such as Chile and Venezuela, where the average percentage of people using the internet in 2014 had been only a little lower than in Liverpool.
That being said… there were some areas of Liverpool where internet access and usage was more common than others. Experts had pointed out that factors such as income had played a significant part in internet access levels. Basically, affluence vs deprivation.
Surging use in lockdown
In these days of Coronavirus and lockdown, however, usage of internet has soared in Liverpool’s suburbs. There’s been pressure on the local council to approve the construction of a 5G mast, despite acts of vandalism on masts by some who believe there are links between 5G and the virus (Public Health England has refuted these links).
As office workers people have had to work from home, Mobile Broadband Network Limited have argued that constructing the mast would increase the general capacity of the network and help them. They argued this was necessary and urged the council to fast-track their application to build the mast.
The lockdown period has been a good opportunity for anyone who isn’t happy with their existing internet coverage to switch providers. Broadband deals are plentiful and you can find them on comparison sites such as Cable. If you’ve been reviewing your finances and have had to fasten your belt, comparing deals and changing internet service providers could save you money.
New research may bring hope
Recently, the University of Liverpool announced they’d be working with new and traditional sources of data so they could understand the characteristics, behaviours and needs of older people in England. The data will help the university’s geography department to classify areas according to the characteristics of the local population.
The COVID-19 situation has highlighted how people view the older population — frail, dependent and vulnerable. Service provision, policy approaches and wider portrayal of older people in the media reflect this. Hopefully, the new research will improve understanding of older people and allow national and local authorities to plan services better and develop more suitable policies regarding elder people.
Amongst other things, the research will include information on digital, socio-economic levels, demographics, health, patterns of consumption and mobility and environment. It’s an excellent opportunity for authorities to work towards improving access and services in these areas.
It seems digital exclusion is a part of Liverpool’s modern social history, but various agents are making efforts to eradicate this. Here’s to hoping they succeed.