Superfast broadband planned for neglected communities
Superfast broadband connections are going to be provided in parts of Newcastle overlooked by mainstream providers.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is ready to appoint a provider to deliver up to 50km of fibre connection as part of the Newcastle Town Deal.
Once complete, businesses, homes and community centres in the Town Deal area will be able to connect to gigabyte capacity broadband.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said:
Commercial providers cover many areas, but parts of the town centre and outlying business parks can be overlooked, which is why we’re stepping in with this initiative to back communities.
Not only do we want to encourage growth and investment for smaller businesses, but we’re providing residents with the infrastructure they need to improve their day-to-day lives.”
A report before the Council’s Cabinet next week recommends appointing ITS Technology Group to deliver the work.
The Town Deal area broadly covers urban Newcastle between the M6 and the A500 ‘D road’, and as far north as the A34 junction with the A500.
Its delivery of open access infrastructure will then let commercial providers provide final connections into business parks, keeping costs down and making choosing there more attractive.
Part of the Newcastle Town Deal Board’s plan is to base ‘distribution hubs’ at community centres, which, in turn, will provide opportunities for residents to be online and learn new skills.
Management groups there will be encouraged to work with partners, such as Keele University, to make the most of the opportunity.
The investment is part of the Newcastle Town Deal, £23 million of funding successfully bid for by the Borough Council.
Other projects include the regeneration of Knutton village centre and the expansion of the Newcastle Enterprise Centre there, town centre investment and the ‘Keele in Town’ project to use university expertise to improve digital literacy.
Simon Tagg added:
Having a fast and reliable internet connection has become essential to living and working in the modern world.
We can’t allow communities to be disadvantaged by indifferent provision and once it’s delivered this will make a world of difference to them.”