Fibre broadband boost for Greater Manchester

TELECOMS group BT is expanding its high-speed fibre broadband network, potentially benefitting 40,000 homes and businesses in Greater Manchester.
   
BT is pumping £2.5bn nationally into the commercial roll-out of fibre broadband. The latest expansion will take place in communities such as Ardwick, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Bolton, Leigh, Manchester city centre, Oldham, Pendleton, Rochdale, Trafford and Wigan, which have already been upgraded, as well as in Atherton, Collyhurst, Daubhill, Droylsden, Gatley, Horwich, Longford and Wythenshawe, which are due to be upgraded later this year.

It will take the total number of premises with access to fibre broadband in Greater Manchester to more than 996,000 by the end of Spring 2014.

Mike Blackburn, BT’s regional director for the North West, said: “This is another important step forward for Greater Manchester. High-speed digital connectivity is vital to our long-term success.

“BT’s investment in fibre broadband allows communities to create new opportunities, growth and future potential. Anything you can think of doing online, you can do better with fibre broadband. It is a vital part of households and businesses making the most of the amazing opportunities increasingly offered by the internet.”

Matthew Kershaw, digital infrastructure policy manager at Greater Manchester Chamber welcomed the investment, stating: “The new services that the technology makes accessible are a huge boost for productivity, competitiveness, profitability and quality of life”

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