Investment by local authority to boost rural broadband

According to reports Gloucestershire County Council has agreed to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in a scheme designed to deliver better broadband to rural areas and support businesses.

It has been reported that a local authority has decided to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in order to boost the provision of high speed broadband in rural areas, thus giving businesses in the area greater benefits and opportunities. Gloucestershire County Council is said to be investing three hundred million pounds in a pilot to boost broadband in rural areas.

Many businesses that are located in rural and underserved areas have suffered due to lack of broadband or very slow broadband, and this has resulted in their performance and output suffering as well as making it very difficult for them to compete with rival businesses that are in areas where broadband is easily accessible and can therefore be used to aid the success of the business.

One councillor said: “Accessible fast broadband is seen as an increasingly important element of infrastructure for both business and the wider community. Indeed, many experts say next generation broadband will be a key contribution to local business success, both to support existing firms and help attract new enterprises as well as giving a general boost to local economies. We set up the Recession Fund specifically to help projects like this and in these difficult times, I believe it is all the more important to focus on creating a stronger, more secure economy in Gloucestershire.”

It has been reported that the money will come from the council’s Recession Fund, and this fund is designed to help businesses get through tough times in challenging climates such as during the recession.

Will your business benefit from this broadband boost? Comment and let us know

Source – This Is Gloucestershire