More than 1,850 Nottinghamshire homes and businesses can now get faster fibre broadband – just two months into a programme which will see the county become one of the best digitally-connected areas in the country in two years’ time.

The announcement came as the Government announced today (Friday 8th August) that more than 1 million UK homes and businesses now have access to superfast broadband as a result of the UK wide rollout. The rate at which the fibre technology is being rolled out under the programme is rapidly accelerating, with up to 40,000 UK premises gaining access every week. It will extend superfast broadband to 95% of the UK by 2017.

The £20m Better Broadband for Nottinghamshire (BBfN) programme is building on the commercial rollout of fibre broadband by the private sector in the county. It will result in 95% of homes and businesses in the county having access to the high-speed, fibre network during 2016.

Work completed so far has seen 17 fibre broadband cabinets upgraded, providing faster broadband capability to 1,865 homes and businesses in Collingham, Arnold and Mansfield.

In total, the Better Broadband for Nottinghamshire programme will see over one million metres of fibre-optic cable laid in Nottinghamshire and the installation or upgrade of 2,500 fibre distribution points – benefitting an estimated 52,000 homes and businesses.

The programme is being funded by:
•Nottinghamshire County Council (£2.15m)
•BDUK (£4.5m)
•European Regional Development Fund (£2.7m)
•BT (£9.3m)
•Nottinghamshire District / Borough Councils (£1m
•Nottingham City Council (£150,000)

Councillor Diana Meale, chairman of Economic Development Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “I am delighted with the progress being made on the Better Broadband for Nottinghamshire programme, with nearly 1,900 homes and businesses already now able to access the world of opportunities that good broadband brings.

“It’s really important now that people and companies take advantage of this brilliant opportunity to transform the way they communicate, do business and get information.”

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: “More than one million homes and businesses have now benefited as a result of Government’s investment in superfast broadband.

“It is totally transforming the way we live and work. You can download feature length films faster, chatting online with family and friends around the world using VOIP is more reliable and households can go online simultaneously without the connection slowing down or dropping out.

“For businesses, superfast speeds are boosting profits through increased sales, reduced overheads and accessing markets abroad for the first time.”

Bill Murphy, managing director of next generation access for BT, said: “The Better Broadband for Nottinghamshire programme is making strong progress, bringing high-speed fibre broadband to some of the most challenging areas.

“The programme shows the power of the public and private sectors working together. BT has brought technical expertise to the table as well as millions of pounds of investment and, if we can go further, we will do so.

“This exciting technology is providing a major boost for local households and businesses whether they are using it to work more efficiently and find new customers or for online learning and leisure.”

The new network is available on an open wholesale basis to all internet service providers, ensuring competitive pricing and products for all local households and businesses.

To access the high-speed broadband network, people and companies in the upgraded areas should contact their chosen Internet Service Provider and enquire about a fast fibre connection.

Locations across Nottinghamshire are being upgraded regularly and will continue to as the programme progresses, so keep checking back at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/broadband to find out about the latest updates.