03
June
2015
|
17:39
Europe/London

High-speed fibre broadband now available to more than 70,000 homes and businesses thanks to Connecting Cheshire

Summary
The Connecting Cheshire project has reached another milestone by giving more than 70,000 homes and businesses access to high-speed fibre broadband.

High-speed fibre broadband now available to more than 70,000 homes and businesses thanks to Connecting Cheshire.

The Connecting Cheshire project has reached another milestone by giving more than 70,000 homes and businesses access to high-speed fibre broadband.

The partnership between four Cheshire councils and BT will provide fibre broadband to residents and businesses with speeds of up to 300mbps*.When added to the commercial rollout by BT and other broadband providers there will be 96% coverage by the end of 2015.

This month, the first fibre broadband cabinet in the Church Minshull exchange area was completed, making fibre broadband available to around 200 premises within the village. Further coverage in this area is expected to be completed over the summer.

Other recent areas now benefiting from superfast speeds include Malpas, Elton, Farndon, Lymm, Pickmere and Congleton.

One year on from the launch of the ‘Fibre Guy’s’ marketing campaign, Connecting Cheshire has been recognised in national league tables as one of the top four of the best projects in the country in regards to take-up and demand stimulation.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council and Ward Councillor for Bunbury which includes Church Minshull said: “We are well on our way to our target of making fibre broadband available to 80,000 premises across Cheshire; the roll-out of superfast broadband is going to benefit rural communities significantly; it is great to see so many people have taken up a faster broadband. We urge everyone to check their availability and upgrade to superfast broadband as it offers many fantastic benefits for your home or business.”

Mike Blackburn, BT regional director for the North West, said: “Websites that bring customers to Cheshire businesses, entertainment in the home, wi-fi on the move, time-saving financial and admin systems are all better, faster and more efficient with the introduction of high-speed fibre broadband. Engineers from BT’s local network business Openreach, working closely with Cheshire councils, have made a future with more connected communities a reality.”

Terry Golding, an experienced professional voiceover for TV, radio and online, recently upgraded to superfast broadband in Malpas at his home studio thanks to Connecting Cheshire. He is delighted with the difference it has made to his business:

“My broadband speed is now ten times faster, and the ability for me to finally utilise specialist broadcast IP-to-IP software means I am now able to work with many, many new clients in real time around the globe, from Chester to Canberra.”

To check availability visit the Connecting Cheshire website and enter either a postcode or telephone number – http://www.connectingcheshire.org.uk/check-availability

Ends

Press contact:

BT NW Regional Press Office:Graham Taylor

Direct line:0800 085 0660

Mobile:07435 669479

Email:graham.2.taylor@bt.com

Notes to Editors:

*These are the top wholesale speeds available from Openreach to all service providers. Speeds offered by service providers may vary.

About Superfast Britain

Superfast Britain is a Government investment of £1.08bn 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 comprises three linked programmes:

● £780m to extend superfast broadband to 95 per cent 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 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

About Connecting Cheshire

The Connecting Cheshire project was launched in April 2013, and is a partnership of four councils – Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington – and BT. It is funded by £13.6m from the European Development Fund, £9m from BT, £4m from BDUK with £1.85m provided jointly from the councils.

The £28.5m project will provide fibre broadband to more than 80,000 homes and businesses. This builds on BT’s commercial investment so that 96 percent of Cheshire –around 400,000 premises – will have access to speeds of up to 80mbps by the end of 2015.

The project will reach those areas outside of any commercial broadband roll-out using a partnership approach to ensure all communities have access to the fastest possible broadband speeds. For more information visit www.connectingcheshire.org.uk

*About ERDF

The project is part financed by the North West Competitiveness Programme, European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.gov.uk/erdf-programmes-progress-and-achievements