Staffordshire pledges 90% superfast broadband cover by mid-2015
ALMOST 90% of Staffordshire residents and businesses will have access to superfast broadband by mid-2015 following approval of a £7.5m investment by the county council.
Cabinet member for assets and environment Cllr Mark Winnington said prompt action was needed to ensure people could take advantage of the improved technology.
The county council funds will match a further £7.5m secured from Government to roll out the massive investment programme.
“Staffordshire County Council will take the lead in ensuring our residents and businesses have the same opportunities as those across the country and beyond,” added Cllr Winnington.
“Access to superfast broadband is vital for modern day-to-day living for all ages and we see this infrastructure as important as road or rail. Our aspiration is that 90% of premises will have access to broadband speeds of 24 mbps or more.
“We cannot wait any longer for broadband companies to plug gaps in broadband provision – action is needed now – and approval of this investment will set the ball rolling.”
Once the investment is approved, the council will consult residents and businesses on what they would like to see happen. The consultation will take place between mid-April to the end of June.
By the end of 2012 a company will have been selected to carry out the project with work set to begin by spring 2013. Currently there are 178,000 properties across Staffordshire without basic broadband (at least 2 mbps) and the chosen supplier will have to ensure that all properties have access to basic broadband, with 90% able to access superfast speeds by mid-2015.
