Council Digital Connectivity During Covid-19

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough local council's investment in superfast broadband pays off.

06:05 28 May 2020

Connecting Cambridgeshire superfast broadband programme, which was launched in 2011, is proving to be a life-saver for many local businesses and communities during the Covid-19 outbreak. Prior to the scheme, fewer than 60per cent premises have access to reliable broadband service. Today, the number has reached 97.9per cent, which is way above the national average. 

 

Cambridgeshire County Council invested £20million in the scheme in 2011 and received additional £8.75million government funding and further £3million from Peterborough Council. The scheme focused on bringing reliable and fast internet connection to thousands of premises that were not initially covered by commercial broadband providers. More recently, the focus shifted to Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) technology, which offers scalable, future-proofed digital connectivity at speeds up to 300mbps and beyond. 

 

Councillor Steve Count, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "Cambridgeshire County Council took the brave decision to invest millions in superfast broadband because we recognised the importance of a strong digital infrastructure to underpin our economy, and we didn't want our businesses and communities to miss out. 

 

"We could not have predicted how the Internet would be seen as the 'fourth utility' within a few short years, and how vital our digital networks would be to keep people connected and support those in need during these challenging times."