Notts broadband rollout offers huge economic benefits, says council

Nottinghamshire County Council is hoping a rollout of super-fast broadband will help to stimulate the area's economy.

According to Jayne Francis-Ward, corporate director for policy, planning and corporate services, the economic benefits of improving connectivity in the county are "potentially huge".

This, she said, is why the council is doing all it can to ensure super-fast broadband is available to everyone, including those in rural communities, as soon as possible.

"The days of a digital divide between different areas of the county are numbered," Ms Francis-Ward commented.

Nottinghamshire County Council, local district and borough councils, and the government are currently putting £8.5 million towards improving web connectivity in the area. The telecoms provider that is eventually chosen to carry out the upgrade will then contribute a further £8.5 million.

It is hoped this will lead to homes and businesses in rural communities enjoying access to super-fast broadband speeds by 2016 - a target the county council believes it is on course to achieve.

Ms Francis-Ward added that Nottinghamshire County Council is also looking to secure additional funding from the European Union, as this could "enable us to roll out next generation broadband even further and even faster".