Next 71 Norfolk UK Communities Confirmed for BT Superfast Broadband

The £41 million state aid supported Better Broadband for Norfolk project in England, which is a joint project between the government (BDUK), county council and BT, has revealed the next batch of 71 local communities that can expect an upgrade to superfast broadband (FTTC/P) technology.

At present the scheme, which was signed last September 2012 (here) and ultimately aims to reach more than 80% of Norfolk’s premises by the end of 2015, is already being rolled out to around 3,500 homes and businesses in 30 communities (here) by September 2013. The village of Croxton near Thetford was the first to be ‘switched on’ at the start of July (here).

The next phase plans to expand BT’s up to 80Mbps capable FTTC solution to 71 additional communities (16,200 premises) between October and the end of December 2013. The entire project ultimately intends to improve services for 270,000 Norfolk premises and is set for completion by autumn 2015.

George Nobbs, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said:

“This roll-out of better broadband if going to make a real difference to our towns, communities and local businesses. The 71 new localities will find a very tangible difference to their broadband speed – as those people in places like Croxton, who’ve already got and experienced the new service, have told me.”

As usual it’s important to reflect that not everybody in each of the soon-to-be-connected communities will gain access to the service but most should. BTOpenreach, which is conducting the physical installation work, may also come back to related areas later in order to conduct infill and expand the services reach.

The new communities are listed below (sorry we’re a few days late with this news).

The 71 Communities
Acle
Attleborough (including Station Road Trading and Haverscroft Industrial Estates)
Banham
Beighton
Belton
Berney Arms
Besthorpe
Bradwell
Browston
Bunwell
Burgh Castle
California
Carleton Rode
Crownthorpe
Deopham
East Harling
Eccles
Fiddler’s Green
Filby
Fishley
Forncett St Peter
Freethorpe
Great Ellingham
Hackford
Haddiscoe
Halvergate
Hardingham
Hargham
Hemsby
Herringby
Hingham
Hopton
Kenninghall
Kimberley
Little Ellingham
Martham
Mautby
Morley St Botolph
Morley St Peter
Moulton St Mary
New Buckenham
Old Buckenham
Ormesby St Margaret
Quidenham
Rockland All Saints
Rollesby
Runham
Scoulton
Scratby
Silfield
Snetterton (including Oakwood Industrial Estate)
Southburgh
South Burlingham
Southwood
Spooner Row
Stokesby
St Olaves
Suton
Tacolneston
Thrigby
Upton
Wattlefield
West Caister
West Harling
West Somerton
Wickhampton
Wicklewood
Wilby
Winterton-On-Sea
Woodrising
Wymondham (including Fitzmaurice and Bridge Industrial Estates)