Council approves broadband scheme for Bath and North East Somerset

The government launched the Broadband Delivery UK program with the goal of bringing universal broadband access to the entire country that was at least 2Mbps. Aside from that, they hoped to level the playing field when it came to competing Internet service providers in order to regulate the industry. The government also pushed to bring next-generation broadband services to at least ninety percent of Britain by the year 2015.

As a result of the project, households and establishments all across Bath and North East Somerset could have access to superfast broadband connections three years from now.

This was discussed in a recent meeting by cabinet members, who agreed to a £2.724 million investment to be set aside for broadband infrastructure across the area. The project is a joint bid to obtain funds from the BDUK project in collaboration with Somerset County Council, Devon County Council, North Somerset Council, Plymouth County Council and Torbay Council.

The Bath and North East Somerset Council are hoping to contribute around £475,000 of the overall cost, while the remaining money will be coming from the European Regional Development Fund, BDUK money, and the private sector.

Councillor Cherry Beath, cabinet member for sustainable communities, stated: “The cabinet recognises how important that broadband access is for communities and creating the business environment to create jobs with economic prosperity. We have thoroughly investigated all the options to improve broadband access and listened to the views of local people, particularly in rural areas where around 40,000 people live in areas susceptible to low internet speeds.”

She added: “As a result the council has secured an excellent deal for local taxpayers and residents compared to the initial proposal rejected by the cabinet from BDUK that would have seen us join with Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bristol. Under this idea, for every £1 of council money, we would have secured just £2.20 in private sector and central government investment. Through the cabinet deciding to join the Connecting Devon and Somerset bid, every £1 will secure £4.70 and see a much greater number of homes and businesses accessing broadband. By 2015, the cabinet is determined to have improved broadband access for every single home and business in our area through our involvement with this bid.”