Superfast broadband rural roll-out speeding up, says Government
Superfast broadband rural roll-out speeding up, says Government
The Government has released new figures suggesting that the roll-out of rural superfast broadband is proceeding at a faster pace than previously recorded.
According the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), the number of homes in the countryside now able to access broadband speeds of more than 24Mbps increased to 273,731 by the end of last year, up from 111,968 three months earlier.
Overall, an estimated 300,000 homes and businesses now have access to fast broadband. The DCMS said the number will increase from the 10,000 per week receiving superfast connections at the moment to 40,000 a week by the summer.
Culture Secretary Maria Miller said: "These figures prove that there is now a real momentum with thousands of homes and businesses now getting access each week. This is part of our long term economic plan and broadband will be instrumental in driving growth and boosting local economies throughout the UK.”
The Government is spending £790 million on bringing faster internet speeds to more remote locations. It has a target of reaching 95 per cent of the UK within the next three years.
Meanwhile, a global report has revealed the average speed of the UK’s broadband connections is now just over 9Mbps, which has increased year on year and is faster than the international average of 3.6Mbps. A year ago, the Akamai State of the Internet Report found the UK’s average speeds were 45 per cent slower than they are today.
The report placed the UK 14th in the European chart based in the speed of average connections.
Report author David Belson told the Daily Telegraph: "Connectivity has seen strong increases over the last year in most countries, and that points to improved, quality, availability and affordability of broadband connection.”
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