Member Article

Yorkshire’s Superfast Broadband schemes ahead of the pack

Superfast Broadband schemes in Yorkshire are ahead of the curve according to new figures from the government.

The Broadband schemes have connected homes and business in North Yorkshire (133,000) the East Riding of Yorkshire (1,525), West Yorkshire (10,368) and North Lincolnshire (9,662).

• Superfast West Yorkshire announced that more than 10,000 homes and businesses are now able to access high-speed fibre broadband as a direct result of the programme.
• In North Yorkshire the rate of adoption of superfast broadband is nearly twice that of the national average with take up exceeding 25% in those areas that have been live with fibre broadband for a year. Superfast North Yorkshire was allocated 3% of the national BDUK funding but has delivered more than 10% of the 1million homes and businesses reached by the national programme to date.
• Northern Lincolnshire Broadband has revealed today that more than 10,000 homes and businesses across North and North East Lincolnshire are now able to access high-speed fibre broadband as a direct result of the superfast programme. It is anticipated that more than 92 per cent of properties in Northern Lincolnshire will be able to access fibre broadband by the end of June 2015.

The Government’s rollout of superfast broadband has now reached more than 1 million homes and businesses across the UK, Culture Secretary Sajid Javid announced.

The £1.7 billion nationwide rollout is firmly on track to extend superfast broadband to 95% of UK homes and businesses by 2017.

The rate at which the fibre technology is being rolled out under the programme is rapidly accelerating, with 30,000 to 40,000 premises gaining access every week and the work involved in the current roll out is expected to provide a £1.5 billion boost to local economies.

Ian Gray, chair of the Superfast West Yorkshire project board, said: “We launched the first fibre cabinet just four months ago and we’ve made great progress since then with around 181 new green cabinets built across West Yorkshire, of which 62 are now ‘live’ and taking customer orders.

“We have now rolled out around 16 per cent of the project’s fibre network so still have a long way to go, but already engineers from BT’s local network business, Openreach, have laid more than 100,000 metres of fibre cable. It is a massive job but incredibly important for the future of West Yorkshire.”

Bill Murphy, managing director of next generation access for BT, said: “The Superfast North Yorkshire programme is making strong progress, bringing high-speed fibre broadband to some of the most challenging areas.

“The programme shows the power of the public and private sectors working together. BT has brought technical expertise to the table as well as millions of pounds of investment and, if we can go further, we will do so.

“This exciting technology is providing a major boost for local households and businesses whether they are using it to work more efficiently and find new customers or for online learning and leisure.”

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said:“More than a million homes and businesses have now benefitted as a result of Government’s investment in superfast broadband.

“It is totally transforming the way we live and work. You can download feature length films faster, chat online with family and friends around the world, and households can go online simultaneously without the connection slowing down or dropping out.

“For businesses, superfast speeds are boosting profits through increased sales, reduced overheads and accessing markets abroad for the first time.”

Gavin Patterson, chief executive officer, BT said: “Getting fibre to rural areas is hard and often complex work, but we are making great progress. Our engineers are busy and are transforming rural areas across England.

“BT has brought technical expertise to the table as well as hundreds of millions of pounds. Some of the early projects are close to completion and further funds will be released if we come in under budget or take-up exceeds expectations.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .