Superfast Broadband Update March 2014

By the end of March 2014, over 9,000 premises in Hampshire, which otherwise would not have had it, will have access to superfast broadband services thanks to the Hampshire Superfast Broadband Programme.

BT and Virgin Media are already rolling out superfast broadband to around 80% of premises in Hampshire. Hampshire’s Superfast Broadband Programme will help to address the gaps left where private sector providers have not been able to fund the infrastructure needed. This will extend coverage to 90% of premises by the end of 2015.

The first area to have the new service was Oakley, near Basingstoke, with areas of Gosport, Hart and the New Forest also now covered. Phase two of the project means that a further 8,500 premises in areas of the New Forest and Test Valley will be able to purchase superfast broadband services by the end of June.

By the end of 2015, more than 59,000 business and residential premises will be able to access speeds of 24Mbps+, and over 40,000 of these will have access to speeds in excess of 50Mbps.

The County Council recognises that fast, reliable broadband is important to people and businesses across the county, playing an important role in economic growth, as well as having a positive impact on rural communities. The programme represents a £13.8 million investment, £5 million of which has come from the County Council and its district and borough council partners. We are already working on plans to extend coverage to at least 95% of premises by the end of 2017 and have pledged up to £9.2 million to lever further funding for this.

Local business owner Jonathan Blake, from Little London, whose software company is already benefiting from a better connection, said:

“It has revolutionised my business. It used to take an age to upload bespoke software for customers and sometimes if there was a problem we’d have to start all over again. We now have an excellent service. It has saved us time and worry.”

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