Phase two broadband rollout approved for Devon and Somerset

Devon and Somerset are set to have at least 95 per cent of their counties connected to superfast broadband by the end of 2017, thanks to the Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) scheme.

Currently, more than 80 per cent of premises in the two counties have speeds of up to 24Mbps thanks to the completion of phase one of the broadband rollout. This is against a target of 90 per cent. The Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) campaign group said that the delaying of the agreement of the second phase was, in part, due to the need to secure EU state aid, as current guidelines from the EU limits publicly funded broadband to areas where there is no commercial case for investment.

In addition to the lack of funding that might have halted phase two rollout in Devon and Somerset, the government's plan to introduce Universal Service Obligation (USO) of a minimum speed of 10Mbps has thrown a further potential issue for the campaign. The main reason is that the local authority is not sure how much of a significant impact the USO will have on the infrastructure upgrades and to what degree it might have an impact on superfast coverage.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, the cabinet member for economy and growth for Devon County Council, said of the EU state aid approval: “It's excellent news that the Commission has given state aid clearance.

"It now substantially clears the path for us to launch our procurement process as soon as possible. I look forward to BT and other firms responding swiftly with their commercial plans and we can keep to our schedule of awarding a contract or contracts this year."

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(Image: Bidgee)