BT to extend region’s broadband network upgrade

A FURTHER 203,500 homes and businesses in the region will soon be able to access high speed fibre broadband connections.

Telecoms giant BT said as part of its nationwide £2.5bn roll-out programme Culcheth, Frodsham, Helsby and Runcorn in Cheshire; Maryport in Cumbria; Collyhurst, Gatley and Longford in Greater Manchester; Aughton Green, Bacup, Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Burscough, Darwen, Garstang, Nelson and South Shore in Lancashire; Arrowebrook, Hoylake, Gateacre and Newton-Le-Willows in Merseyside, had been added to the project list.

All locations are due to be upgraded in 2013.

The latest investment will take the total number of homes and businesses in the North West able to connect to the fibre network to more than 2.1 million.

Mike Blackburn, BT’s regional director for the North West, said: “Fibre broadband opens up a whole new, high speed world. This latest major investment will help the region to overcome the current economic challenges and take full advantage of the upturn when it comes.

“Research suggests fibre broadband could give a £143m boost to a typical town’s economy and create 225 new jobs and 140 new businesses within 15 years.

“The arrival of fibre broadband in each of these new locations will revolutionise the way people use the internet for work, education and connecting with public services.”