Nantwich businesses and communities are being urged to join a growing campaign to secure superfast broadband by 2015.
Council chiefs believe the faster service will boost the area’s economy by £1.3billion and create 11,000 jobs over next 15 years.
The Government is to make a decision about which areas will receive network investment – and Cheshire East could benefit if it can demonstrate a strength of support from the community.
The campaign for ‘Better Broadband’ is being led by the Connecting Cheshire Partnership – made up of Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester, Warrington and Halton Councils.
The partnership has so far received more than £3m in government funding for the roll-out of superfast broadband, but needs up to £40m for the project to reach 100 per cent coverage.
Cllr David Brown, deputy leader and strategic communities’ portfolio holder, said: “Faster broadband is being installed in most towns, but many parts of Cheshire East are being left behind, especially our rural areas.
“We’re asking people to help stop the ‘digital divide’ and register their support now. You will help ensure your community or business can be prioritised for investment.
“Faster broadband will benefit our residents and businesses, and getting behind the campaign will make sure that our voice is heard.”
To support Cheshire East’s campaign, register at: www.connectingcheshire.org.uk
If you’re unlucky (like us) you won’t be able to get super-fast broadband any time soon, even though Nantwich is in the process of being enabled. Enter your postcode here:
http://fttc-check.alc.im/
Any sort of improvement to the phone and broadband service from BT would be welcome. Rural customers suffer poor connections with noisy lines, frequent drop-outs and slow download speeds. BT’s infrastructure is largely worn out, life-expired aluminium cabling and joints needing complete renewal. When there is a fault their attitude is it’s probably at the customers end, not their’s. getting to actually speak to a real person takes 20-30 minutes in getting through to the call centre in India. As for responding to a letter, forget it, they just don’t.