Local MP, Lucy Frazer has expressed her pleasure at the news that Cambridgeshire is to receive up to £4m Government funding to help bring about full fibre broadband connectivity, capable of delivering internet gigabit speeds of over 1000Mbps.
“I am delighted that Connecting Cambridgeshire’s bid to improve fibre connectivity in our region has been successful. Connecting Cambridgeshire put forward a strong and compelling case and deserve this win.
“In supporting their bid, I emphasised the importance of this funding to enable our largely rural region to thrive and compete in an increasingly digital world. I also highlighted Connecting Cambridgeshire’s success in rolling out superfast broadband to homes and businesses across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, achieving targets ahead of schedule. They have shown their strength and capability and I am thrilled that they have been awarded the funding needed to further enhance our digital connectivity and ensure we are fully prepared for the future.”
The Connecting Cambridgeshire programme, led by Cambridgeshire County Council is one of just 13 selected for Wave 2 funding from Local Full Fibre Networks Challenge Fund by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
It builds upon Connecting Cambridgeshire’s strength in delivering leading digital programmes, particularly the successful rollout of superfast broadband, which has already reached 96% coverage and is on track to achieve 99% by 2020.
The package of measures to be delivered by March 2021, includes:
· Creating a 40Km stretch of fibre ducting from St Ives to Linton – linking fibre in new and existing routes and making it available to commercial operators to bring Gigabit networks to nearby homes and businesses.
· Providing fibre upgrades to around 30 public buildings, including schools, libraries, fire stations and GP surgeries, across nine locations in Cambridgeshire, to benefit surrounding homes and businesses.
· Supporting businesses, leading business parks and clusters of SMEs to access the new gigabit fibre networks