Northants set for increased fibre broadband access

Fibre optic broadband connectivity is set to be extended across Northamptonshire over the coming years under new plans from the county council.

The local authority is aiming to bring super-fast broadband to every home and business in the area within five years and is on the lookout for a private sector telecoms firm to invest in the project, reports the Northampton Chronicle.

Under the proposals, around 74,000 properties in broadband notspots that are unlikely to be included in commercial rollouts are set to gain access to faster broadband.

A report from Northamptonshire County Council said improved broadband speeds could generate as much as £92 million for the local economy and create around 1,500 jobs.

According to the document, 60 per cent of homes and businesses in the area will be able to access super-fast broadband by the end of this year.

Separate from the council's plan, BT has committed to upgrading 16 Northamptonshire exchanges during 2011-12, along with a further five exchanges on the county border.