12
August
2015
|
13:36
Europe/London

Superfast broadband now available to more than 39,000 homes and businesses thanks to broadband East Riding

Summary
Superfast broadband, delivering speeds of 24Mbps and above, is now available to more than 39,000 home and businesses thanks to the Broadband East Riding Programme.

SUPERFAST BROADBAND NOW AVAILABLE TO MORE THAN 39,000 HOMES AND BUSINESSES THANKS TO BROADBAND EAST RIDING

Government announces three million UK premises can now surf superfast as a result of the Broadband Delivery UK roll-out. Minister hails Broadband East Riding success.

Superfast broadband, delivering speeds of 24Mbps and above, is now available to more than 39,000 home and businesses thanks to the Broadband East Riding Programme.

A further 3,000 premises are set to get access to the high speed technology by December this year, as part of the first phase of the programme.

The news comes as the Government today announced that the nationwide rollout of superfast broadband has now reached more than three million homes and businesses. 1

Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said: "We are transforming the digital landscape of the UK and our nationwide rollout of superfast broadband has now reached an additional three million UK homes and businesses. I congratulate Broadband East Riding on having reached more than 39,000 properties in East Riding of Yorkshire so far and on making incredible progress."

In the East Riding around 195 fibre cabinets have been enabled, connected by more than 87km of underground fibre duct. And more than 40 exchange areas are now live due to the endeavours of Broadband East Riding.

A £5million contract has recently been signed between East Riding of Yorkshire Council and BT to extend superfast broadband to a further 4,500 homes and businesses as part of the second phase of the Broadband East Riding Programme, with work expected to start early next year.

The Broadband East Riding Programme Team recently visited the Driffield Show to meet local residents and businesses and demonstrate the benefits of using superfast broadband. The team will be attending further local events in the coming months.

Councillor Jonathan Owen, deputy leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This is an important milestone in the delivery of Broadband East Riding and the council is pleased to see continued investment in broadband infrastructure by the Government and commercial providers.

“Superfast broadband is essential to modern life and brings new opportunities at home, in business and in schools. Improved access will also bring social benefits to rural communities, supporting them to grow and thrive.

“With superfast broadband continuing to be rolled out to even more communities across the East Riding, the council would strongly urge residents and businesses to check with their ISP for service availability and upgrade where possible, as you are not automatically upgraded when the service becomes available.”

Tom Keeney, BT’s regional director for the Yorkshire and Humber, said: “Broadband East Riding is a very significant civil engineering project and the extensive team of Openreach planners, engineers and those managing the day-to-day running of the project should be very proud of what they are achieving.

BT’s multi billion pound investment in superfast broadband through its involvement in partnerships, such as Broadband East Riding, and its own commercial programme has already made fibre broadband available to 23 million households and businesses across the UK – and the number is continuing to grow rapidly.

“This new technology will give local people the opportunity to really make the most of the internet. It will help people with online shopping, learning, entertainment and paying household bills, and allow small businesses to function more effectively. ”

With superfast broadband you can watch HD movies, catch up with your favourite TV on demand and download music in seconds. Photos and videos can be uploaded to your social networking sites in an instant and streaming is as smooth as silk; popular online services like Netflix or Spotify work beautifully with superfast broadband. On top of this, everyone in the house can do their own thing online, simultaneously.

Businesses that connect to superfast can serve their customers better and attract new ones more easily. What’s more, they can cut costs and work more flexibly.

Small-and-medium-sized businesses and charities in the East Riding could be eligible for a voucher of up to £3,000 to help them connect to faster, better broadband.However, this funding is limited and applicants are encouraged to apply quickly.

For up-to-date information on Broadband East Riding or the business voucher scheme, visit www.broadband.eastriding.gov.uk

Phase 1 of the Broadband East Riding Programme is a £14 million partnership between the council and contractor B T and is funded by grants from Broadband Delivery UK, £5.5m, and The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), £4.4m, along with investment from B T and the council.

ends

Notes for Editors

1The Government’s nationwide rollout of superfast broadband - internet speeds greater than 24Mbps – has now reached more than three million homes and businesses.

For press/media enquiries, contact:

Mark Bateman, East Riding of Yorkshire Council Press Office: (01482) 391442

About BDUK

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 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 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 www.gov.uk/broadband-delivery-uk

ERDF

Broadband East Riding is part financed by the 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.communities.gov.uk/erdf