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BT to bring superfast broadband to Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

BT has been selected by Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to bring superfast broadband to 95 per cent of properties across the area. 

The Staffordshire Broadband project has an estimated completion date of Spring 2016 by which time more than 472,000 homes and businesses should be connected to superfast speeds.

Thanks to BT’s own commercial plan, the total percentage of Staffordshire connected to superfast – speeds of 24Mbps and above – will be 97 per cent. Properties in this area will be able to connect to FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) broadband with a lucky few able to get the faster FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) either as part of the rollout or under BT’s FTTP On Demand programme.

Those in the remaining 3 per cent of the area will benefit from a standard service providing a minimum of 2Mbps. This will be provided by a number of technical solutions including bonded DSL and satellite broadband. 

BT to bring superfast broadband to Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Superfast for Super-Staffs – BT will bring next-gen speeds to 97 per cent of the area

Read Recombu Digital’s report on BT Broadband Rollout UpdatesStaffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, Mark Winnington, said: “We see this infrastructure as important as road or rail in providing the accessibility and opportunities for our residents and businesses. It will ensure we can compete with other areas of the UK and Europe. That is why we took the crucial decision to invest £7.44million.”

The total spend for the project is £27.3 million. The government’s Broadband Delivery for the UK (BDUK) fund has allocated a further £7.44 million for the project while BT has brought the remaining £12.47 to the table.

Bill Murphy, managing director, BT Next Generation Access, added: “Staffordshire led the way in pioneering creative industries, so it is now fitting that the county is spearheading this dynamic partnership that will not only build on the county’s strong traditions but also, through the development of a high-speed communications infrastructure, harness economic growth that will herald a new era of creativity and prosperity for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.”

Work is expected to begin soon with the first premises due to start benefitting from from early 2014 onwards. 

This is the latest regional BDUK project to be announced. There are now just 21 UK projects yet to be signed off.

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