Andrew Rosindell (- Shadow Minister, Home Affairs; Romford, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are in place to improve the telecommunications infrastructure in the UK Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic.

Chris Bryant (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Rhondda, Labour)

The Governments of the South Atlantic British Overseas Territories are committed to working to improve their telecommunications services to meet the needs of their communities' social and economic needs. For example:

on the Falkland Islands, a system is being installed to offer internet connectivity to the dispersed population. Also, there are plans to introduce revised legislation, and more effective regulation;

on St. Helena, a consultant has been engaged to advise on negotiating and granting a new telecommunications licence in 2012. The St. Helena Government's aim is that the new licence will provide for improvements to the existing telecommunications infrastructure;

and on Tristan da Cunha, possible suppliers are being engaged on the feasibility of a new broadband wifi system to provide internet and telephony.