Rural areas in Basingstoke and Deane will soon be benefitting from high-speed broadband following the launch of the next phase of Hampshire County Council’s superfast broadband programme.
An extra 10,500 businesses and homes will gain access to high-speed broadband in phase four of the multi-million pound upgrade project scheduled to start this month, with completion due in March 2015.
BT’s local network business, Openreach is delivering the programme which will help to fill the void in rural areas which have fallen outside of private sector commercial plans. The target is to reach 95 per cent of premises across Hampshire by the end of 2017.
Hampshire County Council’s superfast broadband programme is a major part of its long-term economic plan to safeguard the future of the county by securing access to superfast broadband in areas outside the reach of private sector suppliers.
Commenting on the programme, Hampshire County Council leader Councillor Roy Perry said: “Superfast broadband is increasingly important if local households and businesses are to make the most of the huge range of opportunities offered by the internet, whether they are seeking to start a new business, find new customers, undertake on-line training, complete homework or simply use it for leisure, and keeping in touch with family and friends.”
