Date set for Barrow, Dalton and Askam roll-out of superfast broadband
Last updated at 16:47, Thursday, 24 January 2013
SUPERFAST broadband will be available in Furness from as early as March, BT has confirmed.
British Telecommunications’ fibre optic broadband is due to be rolled out in businesses and some homes in Barrow, Dalton and Askam in the first phase of a two-part drive to connect Cumbria to a high speed network.
Superfast broadband can bring speeds of up to 30Mbps, which is more than three times most speeds in Furness at the moment.
A spokesperson from BT confirmed that a number of homes and businesses in Askam will also be upgraded to superfast fibre optic broadband when Dalton “goes live” alongside Barrow in spring.
Barry Doughty, mayor of Dalton, is delighted that Askam will be included in the national £2.5bn commercial roll-out.
He said: “It’s really good news. I am extremely pleased to hear that the rural areas, such as Askam, will also enjoy some of the benefits from BT.”
Mr Doughty added that the new high-speed network would be “crucial, in particular for small businesses.”
The arrival of the superfast broadband has also been welcomed by Dowdales School, in Dalton.
Deputy headteacher John Richardson said: “The arrival of superfast broadband in Dalton will, without doubt, enhance the online learning experience for the Dowdales students who live within the improved area.”
Mr Richardson added that the e-learning platform the school uses, called Learning Environment and Active Platform, that enables students to hand in homework and prepare for examinations online, will further improve with greater broadband speeds.
Barrow and Furness MP, John Woodcock, has been campaigning for superfast broadband to be introduced to the area and welcomed the announcement. A BT spokesperson said: “The £2.5bn rollout is part of a national programme which will bring two-thirds of the UK’s homes and premises within reach of the technology.”
The second broadband connection project Connecting Cumbria, a partnership between Cumbria County Council and BT, aims to connect a third of the county not affected by the March roll-out.
Businesses in Ulverston will still have to wait until the second broadband network project before superfast broadband is available there.
First published at 16:45, Thursday, 24 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Make your comment
More Dalton news
- Cumbria Council warns of ‘premature’ use of quarry as a landfill site
- Dalton site suggested for Sainsbury’s store (11 comments)
- Cumbria County Council election
- Eight years for arsonists who torched Dalton beach kiosk for thrills (33 comments)
- Young Dalton storytellers do school proud with competition entries
- Drive to nurture Furness youngsters’ interest in growing their own
- Brave Dalton woman spreads message of hope (2 comments)
- Hunt is on for Barrow bellringers
- Delight for Dalton couple after competition win
- South Lakes farm making neighbours’ lives a nightmare - claim (5 comments)
- Police issue security alert after Dalton break-in
- Cumbria magician conjures up competition win (1 comment)
- Plan for wind turbine at Furness landfill site sparks toxic waste worries
- Man stole food from Dalton shop, despite having £500 cash
- Dalton zoo lemur babies have spring in their step
- Power cuts affect several Dalton streets
- Furness challenge night helps curry fans satisfy burning ambition
- Bed-ridden Dalton stroke victim sickened by theft by own sister (5 comments)
- Dalton pupils hone sports leadership skills
- Cumbria police and crime commissioner opens new Dalton police station
- Tragic Dalton farm worker’s widow tells of ordeal
- Dalton woman, 49, falsely claimed £30k in disability benefits
- Dalton Drill Hall’s upgrade takes another leap forward
- Dalton greengrocers hailed as cooking event raises £35k for charities (1 comment)
- Dalton litter crusade goes on
Have your say
Common sense dictates never trust BT.....
FTTC has now been delayed to June 2013!!!Posted by Silent Bob on 20 February 2013 at 01:44