Hampshire UK Launch Phase 4 of their Local Superfast Broadband Rollout

The Hampshire Superfast Broadband project in England has today revealed the next communities (Phase Four) to benefit from the local state-aid supported deployment of BT’s FTTC/P based superfast broadband (24Mbps+) network, which aims to reach 90% of homes and businesses by the end of 2015 and at least 95% by the end of 2017.

So far the programme has helped to enable just over 21,000 additional premises with the new hybrid fibre connectivity and Phase Four, which runs between October 2014 and March 2015, aims to add another 10,500 homes and businesses to that total.

It’s worth pointing out that, prior to this programme, BT, Virgin Media and other ISPs had already made similar superfast broadband capable connections available to around 80% of the county (i.e. well over 600,000 premises) via their respective commercial deployments.

Roy Perry, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said:

“The next phase of our Superfast Broadband Programme will see another 10,500 homes and businesses given the opportunity to switch over to faster internet speeds. We are now half-way through our programme and a total of approximately 59,000 homes will have been upgraded by the end of 2015 – in some of the most rural parts of Hampshire.

Superfast broadband is increasingly important if local households and businesses are to make the most of the huge range of opportunities offered by the internet, whether they are seeking to start a new business, find new customers, undertake on-line training, complete homework or simply use it for leisure, and keeping in touch with family and friends.”

Phase Four Upgrade Areas

Havant
Hayling Island
Liss
Petersfield
Alresford
Bransgore
Sopley
Burley
New Milton
Itchen Abbas
Hordle
Barton On Sea
Ringwood
Greatham
Ball Hill
Woolton Hill
Highclere
Headley
Kingsclere
Yateley

One other point to make is that the final details for going from 90% to 95% have yet to be worked out. The central Government (Broadband Delivery UK) has apparently now committed £9.2m to help bridge this gap, while the council are trying to match that and BT will then also need to confirm their commitment.