Connecting Devon and Somerset is a partnership between the local authorities of Devon, Torbay, Plymouth, Somerset, North East Somerset, North Somerset and Bath. It was created to ensure superfast broadband roll-out reaches areas that would otherwise see no investment.
The initiative is funded by Central Government and Devon and Somerset Councils, with a matched investment by BT. It aims to offer speeds over 24 Mbps to at least 91 percent of premises by the end of 2016, with slower connections available to every resident.
Connecting Devon and Somerset previously announced it will bring high speed fibre optic broadband cable to the cabinet infrastructure in towns and villages, with parts of Holsworthy, Bradford-on-Tone and Sticklepath already online, and Moretonhampstead, Bishops Lydeard, Monkton Heathfield and Creech St Michael expected to be upgraded by the end of the month.
31 community areas to be connected in the next few months include Bishop’s Hull, Bridford, Chilton Trinity, Christow, Combe Florey, Comeytrowe, Corfe, Cotford St. Luke, Crediton, Dunchideock, Exminster, Hatherleigh, Hemyock, Newton St Cyres, North Tawton, Nynehead, Okehampton, Okehampton Hamlets, Petrockstow, Ruishton, Sampford Arundel, Sandford, Shillingford St George, Shobrooke, South Tawton, Stoke St Gregory, Thurloxton, Trull, Wembdon, West Buckland and West Monkton.
“We are all aware that good connectivity is vital for our rural economy. Our businesses can now begin to take advantage of the opportunities improved broadband will bring in new markets, trading potential and productivity. To be able to make this major step forward is terrific news.”- Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, cabinet member for Economy and Growth at the Devon County Council.