North Yorkshire to get high speed broadband scheme

North Yorkshire is one of just four pilot areas that's going to benefit from a high speed broadband scheme.

The government chose the county for the fiber optic network.

The 70 million pound project will open new business opportunities providing huge benefits for the economy through online revenue.

Picture shows: John Moore (left), Corporate Director, Finance and Central Services, North Yorkshire County Council, and Bill Murphy, Managing Director, Next Generation Access, BT, signing the Connecting North Yorkshire contract.

North Yorkshire County Council Statement:

The contract for a multi-million pound projectwhich will revolutionise business and domestic life across North Yorkshire will be signed today (Tuesday July 17).

North Yorkshire is one of four pilot areas chosen by the Government for high speed broadband  pilot schemes.  It is the first to move from the planning stage to implementation.

The Council’s scheme - Connecting North Yorkshire - will make high-speed broadband available to the vast majority of communities in England’s largest county, opening up new business opportunities while at the same time giving private households the kind of online access currently only enjoyed by the residents of major cities.

The economic and social potential of this huge initiative has been likened to the creation of the railways in the nineteenth century, or the development of air travel in the twentieth.

The installation of the fibre-optic underground cable network across North Yorkshire will be largely completed within three years.  Together with the investments already made in high speed broadband in the county, the total value invested in fibre broadband will be in excess of £70m.

The County Council has now awarded a contract for the project, which will be signed.

Julian Smith comments on the scheme:

In a £50 million investment, North Yorkshire County Council has today selected BT to roll-out high speed broadband across the County.

Julian Smith, Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, who led the campaign to win pilot status and Government investment, is organising the second Broadband North Yorkshire Conference on 29 September 2012 at Fountains Abbey near Ripon to mark the deal.

Commenting on today's announcement, he said:

"This announcement is the modern day equivalent of the coming of the railways or the introduction of canals.

"The award of this contract marks an exciting moment in the development of high quality, high speed broadband across North Yorkshire. North Yorkshire and York Members of Parliament came together 18 months ago to support the bid for Government money to improve internet connections because, for too long, homes and businesses in this county have lagged behind more urban areas in the digital revolution.

"Over the next months and years, we will be working with North Yorkshire County Council and BT to ensure as many families and businesses as possible get connected to high speeds."

MP comments on North Yorkshire broadband announcement

In a £50 million investment, North Yorkshire County Council has today selected BT to roll-out high speed broadband across the County.

Julian Smith, Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, who led the campaign to win pilot status and Government investment, is organising the second Broadband North Yorkshire Conference on 29 September 2012 at Fountains Abbey near Ripon to mark the deal.

Commenting on today's announcement, he said:

"This announcement is the modern day equivalent of the coming of the railways or the introduction of canals.

"The award of this contract marks an exciting moment in the development of high quality, high speed broadband across North Yorkshire. North Yorkshire and York Members of Parliament came together 18 months ago to support the bid for Government money to improve internet connections because, for too long, homes and businesses in this county have lagged behind more urban areas in the digital revolution.

"Over the next months and years, we will be working with North Yorkshire County Council and BT to ensure as many families and businesses as possible get connected to high speeds."