Editing Countryside Alliance (section)

=== Digital communications ===
The Countryside Alliance campaigns for better broadband and mobile connectivity in rural areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.countryside-alliance.org/Our-Work/Campaigns/digital-communications|title=Digital Communications|website=Countryside Alliance|language=en|access-date=16 December 2019}}</ref>

During the UK [[2019 United Kingdom general election|General Election of 2019]] the group welcomed an announcement by the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], which pledged to fast-track a plan for a 'Shared Rural Network', which the Prime Minister [[Boris Johnson]] claimed would see new masts built and existing infrastructure shared between the four mobile phone providers – [[O2 (UK)|O2]], [[3 (telecommunications)|Three]], [[Vodafone]] and [[EE Limited|EE]]. A CA spokesman said at the time "For far too long the countryside has been left behind when it comes to mobile connectivity."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.farminguk.com/news/pm-pledges-to-fast-track-plans-to-boost-signals-in-rural-areas_54480.html|title=PM pledges to fast-track plans to boost signals in rural areas|website=www.farminguk.com|language=en-gb|access-date=16 December 2019}}</ref>

The Countryside Alliance publicly opposed a policy announcement by the Labour Party in November 2019, which pledged to [[Nationalization|nationalise]] broadband and provide free full-fibre broadband by 2030. The group stated on its website that "The Countryside Alliance is concerned that Labour's proposals to renationalise BT risks delaying broadband delivery in rural areas. By removing private investment and stifling competition, especially in the most remote areas of the countryside, they will disincentivise other tech businesses from delivering innovative solutions which are so important in closing the digital divide."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.countryside-alliance.org/News/2019/11/CA-respond-to-the-Labour-Party-broadband-pledge|title=The Countryside Alliance respond to the Labour Party's broadband pledge|website=Countryside Alliance|date=15 November 2019 |language=en|access-date=16 December 2019}}</ref>