North Yorkshire broadband campaign vies for £15m funding

The Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) program was initiated by the government to bring universal broadband access of at least 2Mbps to the entire country. Another goal was to bring next-generation broadband services to at least ninety percent of the UK by the year 2015.

Many web users all over the country have already made their desire for superfast broadband clear. According to the BDUK’s glossary of terms, superfast broadband is defined as “having a potential headline access speed of at least 20Mb, with no upper limit.”

Rural areas can also expect some extra assistance from the government. A campaign has been launched to deploy superfast broadband connections to homes and establishments in rural areas including North Yorkshire. These areas can benefit from a £15m government pilot scheme in order to overcome difficulties in broadband growth.

The project was announced by Rural Affairs Minister Richard Benyon. Through the program, six Rural Growth Networks will be established throughout the country. Each will benefit from investments to improve infrastructure such as broadband and mobile phone networks.

Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, said that he would give his support to a North Yorkshire bid for a portion of the announced funding. He stated: “It is great news that the Government has moved forward so quickly. I have been campaigning for superfast broadband for some time and if there is a bid, I will give them all my support. From my experience so far, there needs to be a multi-layered project which has the backing of MPs, councils and other public leaders for broadband.”

He added: “We are always trying to get funding and private sector investment and any additional money will make a big difference. It all adds up. The key thing is that better broadband will encourage more business start-ups and close the enterprise Apartheid between urban and rural areas.”

Source – Yorkshire Post