Superfast broadband roll-out 'halfway there'
Superfast broadband roll-out 'halfway there'
The UK roll-out of superfast broadband has reached the halfway mark, it has been claimed, with 50 per cent of the projects now in the delivery phase.
With the initiative now reaching the halfway point, the Government is clearly confident that a high-speed broadband network benefiting all businesses and homes in the UK is possible. The most recent report shows that 22 of 44 superfast broadband schemes are now underway.
UK Communications Minister Ed Vaizey commented, “With 50 per cent of projects now in delivery phase, businesses and individuals will very shortly be enjoying all the benefits that high speeds offer.”
The government is investing over £680 million in the project, highlighting how important online access is to the UK’s economy and to homes and businesses across the country. Under the scheme, the Government is looking to get the infrastructure in place so that 44,000 homes and firms will be able to take advantage of broadband speeds of a minimum of 24Mbps by spring 2016.
Figures from Ofcom, the telecoms industry watchdog, suggest that the average downstream speed in the UK is now 11.7Mbps. However, 9.7 per cent of internet users have to endure speeds of 2 Mbps or below.
The government’s broadband policy states, “Fast, reliable broadband internet access is essential for homes throughout the country to benefit from online services, and for UK businesses to compete globally.”
It adds, “We want achieve a transformation in our broadband access, with everyone in the UK able to access broadband speeds of at least 2Mbps and 90 per cent of the UK receiving far greater speeds (at least 24Mbps).”
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