1800 more homes in MK to get high-speed broadband access
Milton Keynes Council signs a new ££ multi-million contract with BT
The Central Superfast Partnership has signed a second multi million pound contract with BT to make high-speed fibre broadband more widely available. Under this latest contract, around a further 1800homes and businesses in Milton Keynes will be able to get fibre broadband.
The new deal builds on the first phase of the Superfast Central project and the private sector’s commercial rollout of the technology and will help Milton Keynes achieve approximately 97.8% coverage of fibre broadband by June 2019. This is a major step forward towards the Council achieving its aim of bringing fibre broadband within reach of all homes and businesses in Milton Keynes Borough.
The Central Superfast programme, a partnership between Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough, Milton Keynes and Luton Borough Councils, BT and the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) programme, is making a combined investment of £11.2m to deliver phase two of the fibre rollout.
The second phase of work follows the current programme that to date has enabled more than 88% of Milton Keynes’ homes and businesses to access high-speed broadband. It also follows BT’s commercial rollout of fibre broadband, together these projects have already reached more than 98,000premises.
The latest investment brings Milton Keynes Council investment in high-speed broadband to £2.7million with additional investment being contributed from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Superfast Extension Programme (SEP) and by BT itself.
Cllr Rob Middleton, Cabinet Member for Resources and Commercialism said, “This multimillion pound investment in high-speed broadband is great news for Milton Keynes, with countless businesses and residents set to benefit."
"This investment promises unparalleled economic, cultural and economic benefits for our city's businesses and residents. It’s vital that Milton Keynes continues to build its reputation as a standout location for both businesses and families to lay down their roots”.
Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said: "This is fantastic news for Milton Keynes. Huge progress has already been made in the first part of our rollout of superfast broadband and today's news means that even more homes and businesses can look forward to a much faster and more reliable internet connection".
Bill Murphy, BT’s Managing Director for Next Generation Access, said: “Hard work and commitment to this project has secured further investment which will make fibre broadband available to thousands more homes and businesses.
“The most important aim is to ensure that as many people as possible can benefit from fibre broadband and in as quick a timeframe as possible so this is great news for both businesses and households across the borough.”
Ends
Editors’ notes:
BT is investing £3.7m in phase 2 of the contract, in addition to the £6.2m it has already invested in phase 1.
About BDUK
Superfast Britain is a UK government programme of investment in broadband and communication infrastructure across the UK. Run by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, this investment helps businesses to grow, creates jobs and will make Britain more competitive in the global race. The portfolio is comprised of three elements:
- £780 million to extend superfast broadband to 95 per cent of the UK by 2017.
- £150 million to provide high speed broadband to businesses in 22 cities.
- £150 million to improve quality and coverage of mobile phone and basic data network services.
Administered on behalf of government by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), Superfast Britain is transforming Britain by promoting growth, enabling skills and learning, and improving quality of life.
For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/broadband-delivery-uk
