High-speed broadband will be available to thousands more homes and businesses in County Durham thanks to a £7.79million Government grant.
Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) announced today that Durham County Council’s broadband plan has been approved.
The authority has already set aside match funding for its Digital Durham programme but the additional £6.93m it will receive from the Government will ensure that all areas of the county can benefit.
The remaining £860,000 will be used by Gateshead Council to provide broadband to homes on the border between the two areas.
Cllr Janice Docherty, Durham County Council’s Cabinet support member for resources, said: “Broadband is key to unlocking economic growth in the County Durham area. Next generation broadband will help to improve business, support learning and potentially lead to the creation of more jobs.
“The Digital Durham programme will make a positive difference to the lives of residents and businesses.
“Developing the plan has taken many months, and I’d like to personally thank BDUK and the council team involved for their substantial efforts to progress this funding bid.”
Don McLure, Durham County Council’s corporate director for resources, said: “We have seen an enormous leap forward in communications technology during the past 10 years, with online shopping, banking, TV and social networking all becoming a part of everyday life.
“However, none of this is possible without a high-speed broadband connection, empathising how important it is for residents that we have secured this funding.
“There will also, of course, be massive benefits for the county’s business community, from national firms to local entrepreneurs, and significant value for the county’s educational attainment.”
Plans by private companies to supply next generation broadband services would only provide coverage to 40 per cent of the county, leaving the majority of residents and businesses at a disadvantage.
The BDUK funding means the county council will be able to target those areas that are unlikely to receive investment from private providers because of the lack of commercial return.
It will enable the authority to take broadband to everyone and superfast provision to 90 per cent of homes and businesses in the county.
The council now needs to demonstrate that demand for high-speed broadband exists and is asking the public to help. For more information contact [email protected] or call 03000 261 160.