BT plots superfast future for Cheshire
A SENIOR BT executive handling the roll-out of superfast broadband in the region has discussed the firm’s plans with council chiefs and business leaders in Cheshire.
Bill Murphy, managing director of BT’s Next Generation Access programme, was in the region to discuss the group’s progress in rolling out a fibre optic broadband network that could provide homes and businesses with download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second, up from 20 available now.
These high speeds would be particularly useful to business, especially those working in creative fields that are required to send large quantities of data to clients online.
“Anything that improves production is important,” said Mr Murphy, “We’re seeing businesses embrace fibre technology because it has such a high impact on production.”
BT is spending £2.5bn on upgrading the existing copper-based phone network across the UK by overhauling telephone exchanges and running fibre optic cables to the green cabinets seen on most streets. Faster services will be available by running the cables direct to homes and businesses.
So far around 450,000 homes and businesses across the North West have access to fibre optic broadband services with BT.
Mr Murphy met representatives from local authorities, business organisations and the voluntary sector, including Aiden Manley, chief executive of Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Commission.
