06
April
2014
|
23:00
Europe/London

Wooler goes super-fast

Super-fast broadband has arrived in Wooler, iNorthumberland announced today. 

Around 1000 homes and businesses in the market town now have access to the high-speed, fibre technology and that figure will increase to around 1,300 as engineers from BT’s local network business Openreach complete more local upgrades in the coming weeks. 

Today, the iNorthumberland investment was welcomed by Anthony Murray, councillor for Wooler, who described it as great news for the area. 

He said: “Super-fast fibre broadband in Wooler offers huge benefits to local residents and businesses and will help our local economy to flourish. Being in such a rural area, faster communications will help businesses to stimulate growth. And at home, residents can do more online at faster speeds and on multiple devices. 

“Please remember the switchover to fibre broadband doesn’t happen automatically, you need to contact your internet service provider and register for it. It’s great news for Wooler and I hope people will take advantage of this wonderful new technology.” 

The iNorthumberland broadband programme, is delivered by Arch, The Northumberland Development Company and BT. BT is contributing £2.9 million towards fibre deployment in “non-commercial” areas with Northumberland County Council investing £7 million plus its £7 million share of the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK programme. The remaining £2 million is coming from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). 
Cllr Dave Ledger, chairman of Arch and deputy leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “This is an important step in the campaign to bring faster broadband speeds to every home, business and school in Northumberland. 

“The community of Wooler should be proud that they are leading the way in the rural roll-out of fibre broadband and grasp all the benefits and opportunities this new technology can bring.” 

iNorthumberland is working hard to provide the best connectivity possible for areas not currently featured in the roll-out plans, within the funding available. 

For up to date information visit www.inorthumberland.org.uk follow @my_broadband on Twitter or find ‘iNorthumberland’ on Facebook or email enquiries@archdigital.co.uk . 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors: 
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% 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 

ERDF 
The iNorthumberland Digital Economy Growth Programme project 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.gov.uk/browse/business/funding-debt/european-regional-development-funding 

About Arch 
Arch, The Northumberland Development Company, has been established by Northumberland County Council as an arms-length development company to drive capital economic development, physical regeneration projects and business growth in Northumberland. Arch brings together five subsidiary companies delivering services in housing, commercial property, physical regeneration, digital transformation and business growth. The company has a clear economic focus and will help Northumberland develop credible sites and propositions to win new jobs and businesses for the area.