17,600 Shropshire homes are set for better broadband
More than 17,000 more homes and businesses across Shropshire are set to receive high speed broadband access, BT has announced.
As part of a £2.5 billion roll-out of fibre broadband across the UK, the telecoms giant is to extend the reach of its fast service to 17,600 premises in Cuckoo Oak and Hollinswood in the Madeley area of Telford, and Market Drayton.
The upgrades will be in place by spring 2014, and will also include 'substantial' investment in making fibre broadband more widely available in areas which already have the high-speed technology – including parts of Oswestry and Wellington – or are due to receive it, such as Bridgnorth, Ludlow and Oakengates.
It will take the total number of premises with access to fibre broadband in Shropshire to more than 121,000.
The service is already available in Baschurch, Dawley, Donnington, Newport, Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Stirchley, Telford and Whitchurch, with Bridgnorth, Ludlow and Oakengates being upgraded this year.
John Dovey, BT's West Midlands regional director, said: "This latest investment is a major vote of confidence in the future success of the region.
"It will be a key part of our economic revival as we finally shrug off the effects of the downturn and create a better, more prosperous future.
"Fast, sophisticated communications are the cornerstone of a successful community, helping local people to build their skills and knowledge and encouraging the creation of new businesses and jobs."
