BT 'acting too aggressively' in Devon and Somerset fibre broadband rollout

BT has been accused of acting too aggressively in maintaining privacy around its plans to roll out fibre optic broadband across Devon and Somerset.

Two district councils said the telecoms giant's approach to the scheme has been too commercial, while others – including Teignbridge – are refusing to contribute funding to the Connecting Devon and Somerset programme.

According to the Western Morning News, the project is currently £3.65 million short of its target, with local authorities holding out on committing their chunks of cash over doubts about whether or not residents in their areas will receive fibre broadband.

Chairman of the Task and Finish Forum Tim Wood, who is overseeing the rollout on behalf of East Devon and South Somerset councils, said BT has been calling for authorities to sign non-disclosure agreements with "considerable force".

He added: "There was an air of frustration and anger on the part of those who felt their residents were being kept in the dark despite huge quantities of taxpayers' money being spent on the project."