Superfast internet for everyone

Central Government has given the go-ahead to Lincolnshire County Council’s plan to bring next generation broadband to the area.

This is good news for Gainsborough and surrounding rural villages - as last year OFCOM revealed that Lincolnshire was shown to have a super-fast broadband availability of just 23 per cent - well below the total average in England of 61 per cent.

Under the plans, 90 per cent of homes and businesses in Lincolnshire will receive superfast speeds of at least 24 Mb per second by 2015, with the rest guaranteed to get at least 2 Mb per second.

They say that by the year 2017, everyone will be able to enjoy superfast broadband wherever they are in the county.

Lincs executive member for finance and HR Coun Kelly Smith said: “Our plan will bring superfast broadband to everyone in Lincolnshire.”

“This isn’t a luxury – that’s why the county council is investing £10 million in this project, despite the difficult financial climate.”

Coun Smith continued: “Improved broadband is vital for business growth, for all residents accessing services, including the growing number of silver surfers, and for young people.”

“Now our plan has been approved, we can get started on making our ambitions a reality.”

She added: “We should see some of the improvements starting to take effect from as early as 2013.”

You can register at www.onlincolnshire.org to help prove to commercial suppliers that there is a demand in Lincolnshire for the next generation of broadband infrastructure.