Somerset broadband is held back, councillor claims

Adrian Dobinson, Mendip district councillor, has criticised the progress being made on Somerset's fibre broadband roll-out, claiming that disputes between BT and Fujitsu are holding back the £16.5 million programme.

Writing in the Well Journal, he suggested that BT's unwillingness to allow other providers to use its super-fast infrastructure is having a negative effect on internet access in the area.

However, fellow councillor David Hall - Somerset County Council Cabinet member responsible for broadband - responded in the paper, claiming that the project to launch the service are going ahead as planned.

"The UK is on track to have its investment in super-fast broadband approved by the end of September," he said.

On a local basis, potential suppliers are clear on the focus on rural areas and cost-effectiveness demanded by the council, according to Mr Hall.

"We expect to be able to announce the successful supplier in October," concluded the councillor.

A recent report from Ofcom suggested that fibre broadband is helping boost average UK connection speeds, with households now at levels of 9Mbps or more.