news story

16th September 2008

MP Presses for Superfast Broadband for South Gloucestershire

Local MP Steve Webb has this week met BT executives to press for the rapid introduction of superfast broadband access for South Gloucestershire residents and businesses. The new connections would be especially useful for heavy users of internet services such as those playing online games, those downloading videos, households where several family members connect at the same time and for small businesses.

The MP has successfully campaigned in the past for telephone exchanges serving local communities to be upgraded to give local people access to basic broadband services. Technology has now advanced and BT has announced plans for 40% of Britain to be covered by new high speed connections by 2012, but no decision has yet been taken on which areas will get access first.

Steve Webb said:

"I am very keen to ensure that local businesses and residents will be among the first in Britain to get access to these new improved broadband services. I was very encouraged to discover from my meeting with BT that the new services will not only be provided in large urban areas but that the company wishes to cover smaller towns and villages as well.

"I will therefore be organising meetings between BT and local businesses and residents to provide further information about the new services and to press for our area to be included in the first wave of development".

Within South Gloucestershire some areas are already served by cable services which can provided enhanced broadband but many are still dependent on traditional copper wires whilst a small number of residents cannot even get basic broadband because their home is too far away from the nearest exchange.

Steve Webb added:

"I will continue to press for increases in coverage for those who cannot get any broadband access at all. I know how useful broadband can be and the frustrations that are faced by residents who cannot connect at reasonable speeds".