Shropshire to tackle broadband “not-spots”

Broadband “not-spots” across Shropshire will be tackled in a £12 mn. scheme to connect more than 16,000 properties, Saturday’s Shropshire Star reports.

Phase 2b of the Connecting Shropshire broadband programme is now being launched with the emphasis on bringing decent broadband to those Salopians who currently don’t have it.

Of the 16,000 properties being targeted, 13,259 are in the east of the county and 2,756 in the west.

Phase 2b aims to extend so-called “superfast” broadband coverage (up to 30 Mbps. Ed.) to a further 16,015 premises in Shropshire, using £11.7 mn. of funding under the central governments BDUK scheme.

Shropshire Council has already invested £9 mn. through two earlier broadband contracts – Phases 1 and 2a.

Phase 1 will be completed this winter. Phase 2a has already started and will provide better broadband to a further 4,000 premises by winter 2017.