Broadband boost comes two months early for Spalding areas
More than 1,400 homes and businesses in Spalding can now sign up for high-speed, fibre broadband two months early thanks to the onlincolnshire project.
They are the first to benefit from the multi-million pound partnership between Lincolnshire County and District councils, BT and the Government, which aims to boost broadband speeds across the county. The early broadband boost has been achieved by engineers identifying areas where BT’s existing fibre network canbe extended quickly. More than 12,000 Spalding homes and businesses already have access to the high-speed technology through BT’s own commercial programme. Note to Editors: A list of the first areas to be upgraded under the onlincolnshire project can be found at the end of this news release.
Councillor Richard Davies, Executive Member for IT at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "Better broadband will bring a wealth of opportunities to residents and businesses alike, and I'm delighted we've managed to hit this major milestone in such a short space of time.
"Superfast speeds will mean that businesses will be able to increase their efficiency, create better connections with customers, and break into global markets.
"And improved broadband is not only vital for business growth, but for all residents accessing services, including the growing number of silver surfers, and for young people looking to download learning materials.
"Once you're signed up to a superfast package, you'll be able to stream HD movies, download music or upload high-res photos in seconds, play online games, and keep in touch with friends and family via video calls.
"The possibilities are endless. But this is just the first step. Over the next few years we'll be helping many more people join the online revolution."
The project builds on the existing high speed infrastructure, so that by April 2016 at least 88 per cent of all county properties will have access to fibre broadband. The council is also aiming for the remainder of premises to have access to a minimum of 2Mbps basic broadband as standard. For the first time ever, standard broadband speeds of at least 2Mbps should be available everywhere in Lincolnshire.
Owen Moody, BT’s regional director for the East Midlands, said: “It is a fantastic achievement that people in Lincolnshire are already seeing the benefits of this programme. This investment in fibre broadband will boost the local economy and help to create or protect local jobs both in communities like Spalding and across the whole of Lincolnshire. It will be of enormous benefit to local businesses which can use the faster speeds to improve their competitiveness both within the UK and abroad.”
To enjoy better speeds, people in these upgraded areas should contact their local broadband provider to check for availability.
For further details on the project and to find out initial information on what's planned for each area, please visit www.onlincolnshire.org . Details may be subject to change.
ENDS
Main areas of Spalding that will benefit from this upgrade
Westlode Street / New road
Pennygate / Monks house Lane
Market Place/ Sheepmarket
High Street
Horse Fayre fields / Broadway
Camel Gate
Riverside Park/ Clay lake
Low road
Hoekman Way
Notes to Editor
About Superfast Britain
Superfast Britain is a 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:
• £780m to extend superfast broadband to 95% of the UK by 2017
• £150m to provide high speed broadband to businesses in 22 cities
• £150m 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 further information: https://www.gov.uk/broadband-delivery-uk
