Superfast broadband for Somerset

2nd February 2012, 06:00

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A major broadband project is calling on at least 10,000 residents and businesses to sign up and demand superfast broadband for Somerset and Devon.

Connecting Devon and Somerset is issuing a call to arms, appealing to residents and businesses across both counties to help them get superfast broadband. The project is a collaboration between Somerset County Council and Devon County Council alongside North Somerset Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council.

It aims to provide 100% broadband coverage of 2Mbps with a minimum of 85% superfast broadband at 24Mbps by 2015 and superfast broadband for all by 2020.

The campaign, which launches on Monday 6 February, is asking everyone to respond to a survey requesting information on their current online activity. Questions will be about current broadband speeds, what you would be prepared to pay and what faster speeds will mean to you, your business and your community.

Information will be sent out by direct mail. Residents will be contacted by phone, and there will also be a phone number and website to enable people to participate in the survey at work, in the library, or wherever they can. The Councils need at least 10,000 responses.

The project has secured £31 million of funding from the government agency Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) and both Somerset and Devon County Councils will be putting in up to £10 million each.

Councillor David Hall, Somerset County Council's Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Economic Development, said:

"We need everyone to get behind us on this. Although we have up to £51 million already, we must secure further investment from the private sector. To do this we need to provide evidence that there is a strong demand for superfast broadband. It is the only way we will reach many rural areas and market towns. It really is a call to arms. If we don't have the evidence, we can't convince commercial suppliers to go into partnership with us. This has real implications for economic growth and the competitiveness of our businesses as well as our ability to provide services ."

According to Ofcom, almost 18% of premises across both counties are getting less than 2 Mbps. In Somerset, just 4% of the county can access superfast broadband, while in Devon, with two major cities, that rises to 17%.

Councillor Will Mumford, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Strategic Planning for Devon County Council, said:

"It's not only about business. Access to distance learning courses, local services, medical support and the kids doing their homework or using social media to keep in touch with friends and relatives all require significantly faster broadband than we have. Although we need the information now, there will be a reasonably long process to secure our private sector partners, resulting in a gap between the survey and the beginning of roll-out.
Without everyone's participation, we can't make our case. Somerset and Devon must have access to superfast broadband - we cannot be on the second or even third tier of connectivity. Superfast broadband is a modern utility not a luxury. Help us make sure we get it ."

To find out more, go to the website www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk