North Yorkshire superfast broadband project to push into next phase
North Yorkshire County Council will next week vote on awarding the £12.5 million contract for Phase 4 of the Superfast Broadband North Yorkshire (SFNY) project, which could bring superfast broadband coverage in the county up to 97 per cent.
So far, in its first 3 phases, SFNY has brought superfast coverage in North Yorkshire to 92 per cent of premises and currently aims to bring this up to 94 per cent by June 2021. SFNY is managed by North Yorkshire County Council’s wholly owned broadband company NYNet and receives financing from sources including the Government, EU, BT and the local authority.
Next Tuesday, North Yorkshire County Council’s Executive is expected to give authority to award the next phase and approve the £12.5 million in funding. Phase 4 will deliver Next Generation Access (NGA) to thousands of premises to which it is currently unavailable.
Executive Member for Access, Councillor Don Mackenzie, commented: “Access to high-quality broadband is essential to all aspects of modern life across North Yorkshire, from helping our businesses to flourish, to education, health and the routines of everyday life. “
“Right now, this is more relevant than ever as more of us need to work, access services or simply keep in touch remotely as we deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The County Council has always been at the forefront of investing in high-quality broadband, resulting in access being available to the vast majority of residents and businesses in the county. Now we are striving to bring this infrastructure to the remotest areas.”
“This new phase will build on our understanding of the needs of residents and businesses at a local level in some of these remote locations, bringing critical broadband infrastructure to these communities.”
“It will give people the ability to use existing and future services, such as social, medical and remote care facilities, allowing greater independence as well as enabling communities and businesses to connect and remain competitive, sustainable and prosperous.”
