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More South West districts benefit from high-speed fibre broadband
BT today announced a further expansion of high-speed fibre broadband in Bristol and Dorset, which is expected to help create jobs and boost the local economy.
A total of 30,000 homes and businesses in both areas are to be included in BT's £2.5 billion commercial roll out of fibre broadband in the UK.
The latest communities to benefit - Avonmouth, Swanage and Gillingham - will be upgraded by the end of Spring 2014.
The expansion also includes a substantial investment in making fibre broadband more widely available in other parts of Bristol and and Dorset that already have the high-speed technology or are due to receive it.
Dorset County Council said today that the investment would help to build confidence of an economic recovery among local households and businesses.
It will take the total number of premises with access to fibre broadband in Dorset to more than 247,000. Around 143,000 are already able to get the service in communities such as Bournemouth, Poole, Dorchester, Portland, Verwood, Wimborne, Broadstone, Winton and Lytchett Minster - and BT is keen to bring more communities within reach by working with the public sector.
The project will also increase the number of premises with access to fibre broadband in Bristol to more than 130,000. Around 82,000 are already able to get the service in Bedminster, Bishopsworth, Bristol North, Bristol South, Bristol West, Easton and Stoke.
Business West - the Chamber of Commerce for Bristol and the wider area said today that this investment would help to raise confidence and contribute towards economic recovery and long-term competitiveness for local businesses and households in the city.
James Durie, executive director of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce at Business West, said: "This is very welcome news as we move forward in another challenging year for our local and national economy. Local firms and households will be greatly encouraged by this further investment, which demonstrates that we are making progress even in these tough economic times.
"It will help reinforce our city's strong credentials as a great place to live and do business. High-speed digital connectivity provided at competitive rates has never been more vital for our businesses to be best placed to succeed and compete in local, national and global markets."
Peter Speroni, superfast broadband programme manager for Dorset County Council, said: "This is very welcome news as we move forward in another challenging year. Local firms and households will be greatly encouraged by this further investment, which demonstrates that we are making progress even in these tough economic times. It will reinforce our county's strong credentials as a great place to live and do business. High-speed communications have never been more vital in order to succeed in an ever more competitive and connected world."
Jon Reynolds, BT's South West regional director, said: "This latest investment is a further vote of confidence in the future success of Dorset and Bristol. It will be an important part of our economic revival as we finally shrug off the effects of the downturn and create a better, more prosperous future.
"Fast, sophisticated communications are the cornerstone of a successful community, helping local people to build their skills and knowledge and encouraging the creation of new businesses and jobs. This exciting technology will transform on-line education, training and leisure for households and enhance the competitiveness of local firms."
The latest communities to benefit - Avonmouth, Swanage and Gillingham - will be upgraded by the end of Spring 2014.
The expansion also includes a substantial investment in making fibre broadband more widely available in other parts of Bristol and and Dorset that already have the high-speed technology or are due to receive it.
Dorset County Council said today that the investment would help to build confidence of an economic recovery among local households and businesses.
It will take the total number of premises with access to fibre broadband in Dorset to more than 247,000. Around 143,000 are already able to get the service in communities such as Bournemouth, Poole, Dorchester, Portland, Verwood, Wimborne, Broadstone, Winton and Lytchett Minster - and BT is keen to bring more communities within reach by working with the public sector.
The project will also increase the number of premises with access to fibre broadband in Bristol to more than 130,000. Around 82,000 are already able to get the service in Bedminster, Bishopsworth, Bristol North, Bristol South, Bristol West, Easton and Stoke.
Business West - the Chamber of Commerce for Bristol and the wider area said today that this investment would help to raise confidence and contribute towards economic recovery and long-term competitiveness for local businesses and households in the city.
James Durie, executive director of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce at Business West, said: "This is very welcome news as we move forward in another challenging year for our local and national economy. Local firms and households will be greatly encouraged by this further investment, which demonstrates that we are making progress even in these tough economic times.
"It will help reinforce our city's strong credentials as a great place to live and do business. High-speed digital connectivity provided at competitive rates has never been more vital for our businesses to be best placed to succeed and compete in local, national and global markets."
Peter Speroni, superfast broadband programme manager for Dorset County Council, said: "This is very welcome news as we move forward in another challenging year. Local firms and households will be greatly encouraged by this further investment, which demonstrates that we are making progress even in these tough economic times. It will reinforce our county's strong credentials as a great place to live and do business. High-speed communications have never been more vital in order to succeed in an ever more competitive and connected world."
Jon Reynolds, BT's South West regional director, said: "This latest investment is a further vote of confidence in the future success of Dorset and Bristol. It will be an important part of our economic revival as we finally shrug off the effects of the downturn and create a better, more prosperous future.
"Fast, sophisticated communications are the cornerstone of a successful community, helping local people to build their skills and knowledge and encouraging the creation of new businesses and jobs. This exciting technology will transform on-line education, training and leisure for households and enhance the competitiveness of local firms."
