Big investment in superfast broadband

At least 90 per cent of Staffordshire residents and businesses will have access to superfast broadband by mid-2015 following approval of a £7.5m investment by the county council’s cabinet.

Cabinet member for assets and environment Mark Winnington said prompt action is needed to ensure people across Staffordshire can take advantage of online opportunities which will improve their lives through better access to employment, education, health and leisure that are enjoyed by those living in the largest urban areas and parts of mainland Europe.

The investment will see the county council lead a major infrastructure project beginning in spring next year. The county council funds will match a further £7.5m secured from Government to unlock a massive investment programme. Roll-out of broadband improvements will follow a consultation with residents this summer which will determine where the greatest demand is.

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County councillor Winnington said: “Access to superfast broadband is vital for modern day-to-day living for all ages and we see this infrastructure as important as road or rail. Our aspiration is that 90 per cent of premises will have access to broadband speeds of 24 mbps or more.

“We cannot wait any longer for broadband companies to plug gaps in broadband provision – action is needed now – and approval of this investment will set the ball rolling.

If the investment is approved by the full Council, the consultation period with residents will take place from mid-April to the end of June. By the end of 2012 a company will have been selected to carry out the project with work set to begin by spring 2013.

Currently there are 178,000 properties across Staffordshire without basic broadband (at least 2 mbps) and the chosen supplier must ensure that all properties have access to basic broadband, and 90 per cent able to access superfast speeds, by mid-2015.