HIGH-SPEED fibre broadband will be available to 8,000 additional homes and businesses in Worcestershire in a multi-million pound extension of the Superfast Worcestershire programme.
More than £6 million will be invested in the scheme’s expansion - £2.39 million each from the government’s Broadband Delivery UK fund and the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, and £1.42 million from BT.
This move will ensure 94 per cent of premises in the county can access download speeds of up to 80 megabits per second.
Work on the extension, which will be carried out by BT’s Openreach service, will begin next year and be completed by summer 2018.
Sander Kristel, director of commercial and change at Worcestershire County Council, a partner in the project, said: "We know that local demand for improved broadband speeds is high.
“The extension programme will further improve fibre broadband speeds and increase the reach of our coverage.
“This is great news for residents and businesses.
“As well as driving business growth, fibre broadband offers new online learning and entertainment opportunities for households. The technology will also support our digital council transformation over the next decade."
Gary Woodman, executive director of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It is great news that contracts are being signed so that work can continue at pace to build on the Superfast Worcestershire programme and bring access to superfast broadband to around 94 per cent of homes and business premises by 2018.
“We know how important this technology is locally and in ensuring that Worcestershire continues to be a world class place to do business.
“I would encourage people to register for updates so you can upgrade at the earliest opportunity as you do need to upgrade to benefit from the high speeds.”
Steve Henderson, BT’s regional director for broadband partnerships, labelled the announcement an “important chapter in the development of Worcestershire” while digital economy minister Ed Vaizey said he was “delighted” with the news.
The extension to the programme will bring additional fibre broadband coverage to each of the six districts in the county including parts of Trimpley and Rowney Green, the Lenches, the Teme Valley and Beckford.
For more information visit superfastworcestershire.com
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