Improved ultrafast ‘Fibre to the Premises’ (FTTP) broadband will be rolled out to over 220 public buildings across Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon over the next two years, thanks to a successful bid to a UK Government fund.
The buildings include council offices, GP surgeries, hospitals, schools, colleges and many others. This investment will significantly extend access to full fibre networks making it easier and cheaper for businesses and homes to connect.
Full fibre networks, with connections that allow download speeds of up to a gigabit per second (Gbps), will help Plymouth and its neighbouring rural areas to grow and adapt, taking advantage of modern technology that will benefit public services including healthcare and education, as well as private businesses and homes. The successful bid was made to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Local Full Fibre Network Challenge Fund.
Minister for Digital Margot James said: “We’re building a Britain that’s fit for the future, and our plans for a national full fibre broadband network underpin our modern Industrial Strategy. This £3 million boost for gigabit speeds in Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon will benefit homes and businesses across the region and I congratulate the council on its successful bid.”
Sophie Hosking, Chief Executive of South Hams and West Devon Councils said: “We are delighted about this announcement. South Hams and West Devon covers a large rural area of Devon which, as those who live here know, has limited broadband connectivity. If more of our residents and businesses can benefit by upgrading to full fibre gigabit speeds, they will also be able to benefit from the growing list of online services that we now offer.”
Key benefits of the project:
- Maximising the number of organisations able to take the benefits of gigabit-capable speeds
- Bringing full fibre closer to other businesses and residents
- Encouraging future private investment to the local area
- The opportunity to transform public services through integration and enhanced technology.