Hundreds of homes and businesses across Cheltenham and Gloucester will be getting an early Christmas present with the arrival of superfast broadband.
Brand new fibre cabinets have been installed at a number of locations across the town and will be followed by more in 2019 thanks to the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire’s broadband project, Fastershire, and with the support of local MP Alex Chalk.
The superfast rollout is the result of a deal agreed between Fastershire and Openreach, the UK’s digital network business to provide high speed broadband to parts of Cheltenham and Gloucester.
Alex Chalk, MP for Cheltenham, said, “This is wonderful news for both homes and businesses across Cheltenham. I’ve been a committed champion for improving broadband access since before I was elected and have worked closely with Fastershire to ensure this contract was delivered. This intervention is another important step towards ending e-poverty for many people across the town.”
The partnership between Fastershire and Openreach will see around 4,200 additional homes and businesses in Cheltenham and Gloucester benefit from superfast fibre broadband by the end of 2019.
Cllr Lynden Stowe, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for economy, skills and growth, said, “Access to faster broadband is often seen as only a problem in rural areas, this time it's good to see that Fastershire have also been able to improve access in urban areas, as well as in some of the hardest to reach areas of the county.
“Fastershire’s rollout will increase superfast coverage in Cheltenham significantly, building on what has already been delivered commercially and will provide a vital boost for our economy and communities.”
Lindsay Booth, Openreach BDUK Project Manager, said “Openreach is delighted to be delivering 21st century connectivity to historic Cheltenham and Gloucester. We’re working hard to install new technology to help homes and businesses across the area”.
To find out if your property can already access faster broadband or where your property sits in the Fastershire rollout, visit www.fastershire.com and use the address checker.