Broadband speeds to increase in countryside

The money will help alternative technology providers come up with ways of delivering superfast broadband to the farthest reaches of the region.

North Yorkshire has been at the forefront of the Government programme to bring superfast speeds to 95 per cent of the UK by 2017. More than half the county’s telephone cabinets have now been upgraded to offer so-called “superfast” speeds of at least 25Mbs – far above the national average – and by October the county will have hit the Government’s target of 90 per cent coverage.

Local MPs however have expressed concerns about the 40,000 properties which will not be catered for in the final 10 per cent. The Government hopes yesterday’s announcement will go some way to allaying those fears.

Culture Secretary Maria Miller said: “An estimated 10,000 homes and businesses are gaining access to superfast speeds every week - but now we need to focus on the hardest to reach communities.

“If we want to ensure all communities benefit, we need to think imaginatively about alternative technology. The pilots enabled by the £10m fund will be instrumental in helping us overcome the challenges of reaching the final five per cent of premises.”

The new fund will allow for a range of pilot projects to be tested across the country. Potential technologies include using 4G mobile signal to deliver ‘fixed wireless superfast broadband’, using fibre direct to premises and satellite technology.

Welcoming the project, Sir Barney White-Spunner, chairman of the Countryside Alliance, said: “Broadband connectivity is as important as a connection to gas, water and electricity. We hope this fund will ensure the roll-out of broadband happens as swiftly as possible, to ensure the digital divide does not grow any wider.”