Basingstoke is leading the way with high-speed fibre broadband, now available to around 43,000 Basingstoke homes and businesses. This means that more than 90 per cent of the town already has access to the technology.
Demand for the service is also growing rapidly with some areas in the town already seeing more than 74 per cent of local households and businesses choosing to take it up.
When the fibre broadband rollout in Basingstoke is completed, 95 percent of people in the town will be able to get the high-speed technology as a result of BT’s commercial rollout and the Hampshire Superfast Broadband programme.
Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke, said: “Superfast broadband has become an essential for many Basingstoke residents and businesses and that is why we have some of the highest levels of take up in the country.
“Money from the Government and the Council has meant our area has seen this technology made available more rapidly than would have been the case.
“Thanks to our local Councillors Hampshire is the first county in the country to insist on superfast broadband in all new homes “.
Bill Murphy, managing director next generation access at BT, said: “The arrival of fibre in more parts of Basingstoke is transforming the way households use the internet, from the simple sharing of pictures and video and on-line training and research to enjoying the growing boom in entertainment services available on-line.
“BT’s fibre network is expanding rapidly across the South East bringing a boost for local economies wherever it goes. Research suggests that within 15 years fibre broadband could bolster the economy of a typical town by £143 million and create 225 new jobs, 140 new start-up businesses and 1,000 more homeworkers1.”
Councillor Roy Perry, leader of Hampshire County Council, added: “Hampshire County Council knows the benefits faster internet speeds can bring to local families and businesses, and our programme has already seen over 31,500 premises across the county given the opportunity to switch over to superfast broadband. By the end of the project more than 94,000 additional premises will have been enabled to access superfast services at a speed of at least 24Mbps.”
“We have committed significant funds to ensure superfast broadband reaches as many premises as possible across Hampshire, including areas where normal commercial considerations by the broadband providers would not justify installation. My ambition is to see at least 95 per cent of homes with access to superfast broadband.”