Superfast Berkshire Project Gets Funding Boost

Superfast broadband across Berkshire has been given a boost. Following some effective lobbying, an extra £600,000 has been pledged for the county by the government’s ‘Broadband Delivery UK’ organisation. This is on topof the £1.43 million they have already agreed which has been match-funded bydistrict and parish councils.

To secure the extra money, match-funding is again required and Thames ValleyBerkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has stepped in with a contribution of £300,000. The six Berkshire unitary councils have agreed to do the same. This brings the total public sector investment to more than £4 million, which will enable the chosen private sector provider to further extend the broadband infrastructure acrossthe county.

The Superfast Berkshire Project will deliver 2Mb broadband right across Berkshire. Superfast broadband will, after this project, be available to more than 90% of thecounty by the end of 2015. Although fast broadband is already being expanded across parts of Berkshire through existing commercial providers, a number of business and domestic premises – most in rural areas – would remain without access to the same levels of service without the Superfast Berkshire project.

Details of the Superfast Berkshire project can be found at: http://www.superfastberkshire.org.uk/