Durham’s Phase 1 BDUK and BT Superfast Broadband Rollout Begins

The £24m Digital Durham project, which is working with BT to make superfast broadband speeds (FTTC/P) available to “around” 94% of local premises by the end of 2016, has finally begun the first phase of its deployment.

According to the Northern Echo, some 9,000 homes and businesses in 12 towns and villages will benefit when work finally gets underway one month ahead of schedule in March 2014. The first areas to benefit will be Bishop Auckland, Cockfield, Consett, Durham, Sacriston, Sherburn Hill, Shildon, Spennymoor, Staindrop, Thornley, West Auckland and Willington.

In addition, the council is also exploring alternative broadband delivery methods, which will need extra funding from the UK Government, for around 120 properties in the isolated rural Forest-in-Teesdale and Whorlton.

Apparently “several stalled attempts” have also been made to bid for a grant from the £20m Rural Community Broadband Fund (RCBF), which would have helped residents get superfast connectivity in Upper Teesdale and Weardale, and a final attempt will be made by the end of this month.