Ultrafast Broadband Investment for Staffordshire

A £7m fibre optic build programme is set to bring superfast broadband service in a number of towns across Staffordshire.

12:26 14 September 2021

Full Fibre Ltd has partnered with Staffordshire County Council's Superfast Staffordshire project to bring superfast and highly reliable broadband services in a number of towns across Staffordshire. 

 

The company has confirmed that more than 119,000 homes and businesses in poorly-served areas in the UK will be given access to its supercharged connectivity. Of this number, 24,000 are located in Staffordshire. 

 

Councillor Charlotte Atkins, who represents Leek South, welcomed the news but insisted that more could be done to support families who can't afford broadband services. 

 

Ms Atkins said: “We’re all in favour of faster broadband, but could the county council tell us how many households are not connected at all - or indeed can’t afford to be connected?

 

“The cheapest broadband costs around £15 per month. But for people who are relying on food banks, that £15 is pretty critical - particularly if you’re also reliant on things like Universal Credit which, of course, is going to be cut soon.”

 

She added: “We certainly do need faster broadband in the Moorlands.

 

“For areas like Biddulph, Leek and Cheadle, it’s been a real concern because connectivity is now an essential service like electricity and gas.

 

“What worries me is affordability. What about those people who are excluded because they can’t afford it?”