Dozens more communities to benefit from Superfast Dorset fibre broadband roll-out
Dozens more communities to benefit from Superfast Dorset fibre broadband roll-out
Latest locations include Arne, Askerswell, Minterne Magna, Moreton, North Wootton and Tarrant Launceston.
Dozens more communities in Dorset are to benefit from the roll-out of superfast broadband thanks to strong demand for the high-speed fibre technology by local households and businesses.
More than 26 per cent of customers in the Superfast Dorset area have already chosen to take-up the service, triggering a ‘Gainshare’ award under the terms of the contract with BT to be used to further extend the fibre roll-out.
More than 800 premises in 31 areas have just been added to the Superfast Dorset roll-out plans for next year as a result of the high take up and efficiencies in delivery, which together are worth more than £1 million. The areas include Arne, Askerswell, Minterne Magna, Moreton, North Wootton and Tarrant Launceston.
Note to Editors: a list showing the Dorset communities which will most benefit is available at the end of this news release.
In total during 2017, more than 4,000 Dorset premises will be provided with access to fibre broadband as a result of the Superfast Dorset programme.
Superfast Dorset is working to roll out faster, more reliable broadband to businesses and homes in the county by delivering fibre broadband in areas which fall outside the private sector’s commercial roll-out of the high-speed technology. The project is funded by the Government, Dorset’s councils and BT.
Dorset County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, Colin Jamieson, said: “Under its initial contract with BT the Superfast Dorset programme receives a refund if take-up reaches a certain point. As this has been achieved, the money will be used to extend the network to areas previously outside the planned coverage area which is great news.
“Investing public money in fibre broadband helps sustain our rural communities and maintains Dorset’s competitive edge as a business destination. It also allows homeowners to do things that need a faster internet connection like accessing skills and learning, entertainment and other social connections.”
Grant Munn, BT programme manager for Superfast Dorset, said: “The Superfast Dorset programme is going from strength to strength. We are seeing strong take-up of fibre broadband across the county and this is helping us reach even more communities.
“BT is committed to rolling out this transformational technology as far as possible. Fibre broadband offers tremendous opportunities whether you are a local business seeking to attract new customers and work more efficiently, a student carrying out online research or a household using the technology for entertainment and social media purposes.”
Nine out of ten Dorset homes and businesses can already access superfast broadband speeds of 24Mbps and above.
Speeds at individual premises don’t improve automatically. Residents and businesses need to contact a broadband service provider and ask to switch to fibre. The cost will depend on the service ordered, but prices can now be comparable with standard broadband.
To check if your home or business can get fibre broadband visit www.dorsetforyou.com/superfast
You can also sign up on the website for regular project updates and to receive an email when fibre arrives in your area.
Notes to editors:
Most of the more than 800 premises included in this latest expansion are in the following communities:
- Kimmeridge
- Winfrith Newburgh
- Moreton
- Higher Bockhampton
- Lower Bockhampton
- Waddon
- Askerswell
- Broad Oak
- Drimpton
- Corscombe
- East Chelborough
- Yetminster
- North Wooton
- Bagber Common
- Moorside
- Manston
- East Orchard
- Hartgrove
- Fontmell Magna
- Sydling St Nicholas
- Up Cerne
- Minterne Magna
- Tarrant Launceston
- Witchampton
- Holt
- Horton
- Sixpenny Handley
- Lytchett Matravers
- Arne
- Buckhorn Weston
Please note:Whilst many of these communities will be getting fibre broadband for the first time, some already have some access and will be seeing an increase in fibre coverage.
About the Superfast Dorset project
Superfast Dorset is a partnership between BT, the Department of Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS), Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, the Borough of Poole, Christchurch Borough Council, East Dorset District Council, North Dorset District Council, Purbeck District Council, West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council.
Partner contributions:
DCMS - £11.7m
BT - £13.29m
Dorset councils - £12.3m
Breakdown of local authority allocation:
- Dorset County Council - £8,633,473
- West Dorset District Council - £1,487,207
- Christchurch Borough Council - £100,044
- East Dorset District Council - £347,434
- North Dorset District Council - £843,475
- Purbeck District Council - £437,614
- Weymouth & Portland Borough Council - £153,093
- Bournemouth Borough Council - £70,495
- Poole Borough Council - £227,490
The Superfast Dorset project will help to provide:
- 97% of Dorset premises with access to superfast broadband (at least 24Mbps)
- Even more premises with access to fibre broadband (this will offer speeds above 2Mbps)
- 100% of premises with access to greater than 2Mbps, some via other broadband technologies
Further information is available from www.dorsetforyou.com/superfast
About Superfast Britain
Superfast Britain is a Government programme of investment in broadband and communication infrastructure across the UK. Run by the Department for 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:
- £790m to extend superfast broadband to 95% of the UK by 2017;
- £150m to provide high-speed broadband to businesses in 22 cities; and
- £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
