In the week in which a government minister heard about Durham County Council’s rollout of superfast fibre optic broadband, which offers speeds of up to 75mb download and 20mb upload, the Crier can report that the service has already reached some areas of Shildon.
Ed Vaizey MP met with representatives from Durham County Council’s Digital Durham programme during a visit to Durham City.
The Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries was given an insight into the initiative, which will bring broadband to everyone
in the county and superfast provision to as many homes and businesses as possible.
Mr Vaizey was invited on board the Digital Durham bus, which visits local communities offering information on how people can benefit from better broadband access.
Durham County Council has received £6.93m through the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) programme and has set aside the same in match funding.
Phil Jackman, Durham County Council’s head of ICT, said: “The Digital Durham programme is at a very exciting point and it’s great to have this opportunity to share our progress so far with Mr Vaizey.
“The benefits of fast speed broadband are enormous, from increasing access to information for domestic customers to improving learning opportunities in our schools and boosting business for smaller and medium-sized enterprises.
To check availability in your area, visit the BT Infinity website and enter your address and postcode information as directed.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
