East Riding FTTC rollout to reach 2,200 extra premises

A further investment of £6 million into the ongoing Broadband East Riding project in Yorkshire could allow the extension of FTTC superfast broadband to around 2,200 additional homes and businesses.

According to Openreach figures, almost 90 per cent of houses and commercial premises in the East Riding of Yorkshire already have access to FTTC, FTTP and FTTRN superfast broadband (24Mbps+), the equivalent to around 46,500 out of 47,300 premises, with existing rollout plans expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

As part of the extended rollout a further 2,200 premises are likely to benefit from FTTC access, which is being funded by £6 million following strong take-up under the existing contract.

Under the government's Broadband Delivery UK scheme, Openreach is required to return part of the investment to local authorities based on the level of local take-up, with additional funds then reinvested to extend coverage and boost services.

Currently, superfast broadband upgrade take-up levels have reached 41.9 per cent in Phase 1 and 26 per cent in the more recent Phase 2.

Commenting on the extended coverage promised across East Riding, Councillor Jonathan Owen stated that the extension was very welcome, but the council knows there is still more to be done to ensure adequate connectivity across this particular region and across other parts of Yorkshire.

Derek Richardson, Openreach's Local Programme Director, mirrored these comments: "The Broadband East Riding programme continues at pace and we are more determined than ever to improve broadband speeds as widely as possible across the East Riding."

He added: "By using a variety of solutions and innovative technologies we can ensure that superfast broadband reaches many small and rural communities who would otherwise be unable to benefit."

(Image: Kainet)