At last week’s Scrutiny Panel meeting, Cllr Reg Barry questioned the timings for the roll-out of superfast broadband. This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Superfast broadband is a step closer for homes and businesses in rural area across the Isle of Wight.
Issues relating to state aid have now been resolved by the government and EU meaning the Isle of Wight Council can push ahead with planned investment in an Island-wide superfast broadband network.
£3m investment by the IWC
The council is investing £3 million to ensure that superfast fibre broadband is available across the Island, not just in the main towns. The money is part of the council’s wider efforts to stimulate the local economy and create jobs. This money has also secured £3 million of additional investment from government
Now the state aid issues have been resolved, the council has created a timetable to roll out superfast broadband Island-wide.
Formal process starts today
The first milestone is today (Monday 11 February) when the council, using the government’s procurement framework, commences the formal process to select a contractor. The successful contractor will provide further funding to the scheme and install the infrastructure required to bring superfast broadband to the largely rural areas that are not covered by commercial investment in some of the Island’s towns.
The contractor will be appointed in September 2013 with work on the ground likely to start in the following Spring.
“Delighted to be able to start work on this important project”
George Brown, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for the economy said: “We recognise the huge benefits superfast broadband will bring and are delighted to be able to start work on this important project.
“Without the council’s investment only the Island’s towns would have access to the fastest speeds and we feel that in order to grow the Island’s economy and attract inward investment, the whole Island should have access to the latest technology.”
The news was welcomed by Norman Arnold of the Isle of Wight Federation of Small Businesses, who said: “Having fast internet speeds across the Island is vital to the success of our small businesses – particularly those in more rural areas. I am delighted the state aid issue has now been resolved allowing the council to push ahead with what is very welcome investment in the local business infrastructure.”
Image: rq? under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license
