Surrey launches fibre optic broadband tender

Tender processes for fibre optic broadband networks in Surrey have been announced by the county council.

The local authority is looking for the private sector to bring faster connections to around a fifth of properties, which are expected to be missed out by BT's own programme of deployments in the area.

A second tender, to provide a public sector network aimed at delivering cost savings for the Surrey Police Authority and the county, borough and district councils, will also be opened shortly.

Both contracts are set to be agreed by May 2012.

Dr Andrew Povey, leader of Surrey County Council, said: "Unless we step in, up to 20 per cent of Surrey won't feel the huge benefits of high-speed broadband in the near future."

Last month, BT announced its fibre broadband service had gone live in the communities of Camberley, Farnham, Haslemere and Horley.

When completed, the work is set to benefit 40,000 homes and businesses.