The Hampshire Senate, a voluntary partnership made up of the County Council leaders from all 11 district councils and various other authorities (e.g. Police and Fire etc.), has supported a call for more Hampshire homes and businesses to gain "super-fast" broadband connections in the future.

Hampshire's current broadband coverage is described by the Senate as being "relatively good in the main urban parts", but roughly 112,000 people and 3,400 businesses are still unable to get broadband at the Government's proposed minimum speed of 2Mbps (USC 2015 target).

It's feared that this lack of fast broadband could impact on the economic and social viability of the county, and its ability to support local businesses and their economic activity. The senate has therefore suggested the creation of a not-for-profit company to deliver super-fast broadband, where local authorities would be shareholders in partnership with private organisations.



The eHampshire Partnership (formerly 'The Hampshire Broadband Project') claims to be the body responsible for "driving forward the use of ICT and high speed communications in Hampshire". Further details surrounding the plan, or at least its viability, are expected to be thrashed out over the next few months.