South Shropshire residents set for broadband boost as minsters sign new deal with Openreach
Tens of thousands of "hard-to-reach premises" in South Shropshire will see lightning-fast broadband installed after a request to enhance digital connectivity in the region has been accepted.
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MP Stuart Anderson has expressed his delight after ministers have signed a new deal that will see broadband improved in the area.
A £108.9 million contract has been signed with broadband supplier Openreach, and will deliver gigabit-capable broadband to up to 47,000 premises across East and South Shropshire, North Herefordshire, North Wales, and South West Wales.
Mr Anderson has welcomed the news saying that the deal will "benefit many homes and businesses surrounding the Shropshire hills".
The decision follows a campaign led by the South Shropshire MP after he said many residents have contacted him about connectivity issues in the area.
Mr Anderson has urged residents across his constituency to apply for the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme to cover the costs of a gigabit-capable broadband connection.
The MP reported that, according to independent website Thinkbroadband.com, 53 per cent of premises in South Shropshire can currently access a gigabit-capable connection.
The announcement forms part of four new contracts worth more than £289 million that the government has signed to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to around 131,000 homes and businesses across the country.
Stuart Anderson MP said: "Enhancing digital connectivity is a top priority of mine, as I know it is for many fellow residents across South Shropshire who depend on reliable broadband connections to access public services, take up employment opportunities, and stay in contact with their loved ones.
"Having repeatedly raised this issue with Ministers in Parliament, I welcome the new contract that has been signed with Openreach. Worth more than £100 million, it will benefit tens of thousands of premises in areas surrounding the Shropshire Hills.
"I will certainly be pushing to see that this is implemented as soon as possible and for further developments in this area, so that all of South Shropshire can benefit from the amazing opportunities that faster broadband speeds open up."
