Are you making the most of superfast broadband in Winchester?
Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council are working together to ensure that as many residents and businesses as possible have access to superfast broadband.
Wave 2 of Hampshire County Council’s Superfast Broadband project will involve upgrading 550 roadside broadband cabinets by September 2018, connecting an additional 34,000 premises across the county. This will make Superfast Broadband available to 96% of premises in Hampshire. A recently announced extension to the programme will reach 97.4% of premises in the county by 2019, filling the gap in smaller, rural areas that are otherwise left out by market forces.
The two councils are keen to ensure that residents and businesses located with the Winchester area are making the most of upgrades that are now available.
Broadband cabinets have been updated in some postcodes in the following areas across the Winchester District: Alresford, Bishop’s Waltham, Durley, Hambledon, Harestock, Itchen Abbas, Micheldever, Sparsholt, Sutton Scotney, Twyford, Whiteley and Winchester. For a full list of cabinets and postcodes that have recently been upgraded visit: www.hampshiresuperfastbroadband.com/about-the-project/live-cabinets
The two councils also want to ensure that people are registered on the Hampshire Superfast Broadband website, www.hampshiresuperfastbroadband.com This is so that Hampshire County Council can keep them updated with project announcements regarding additional funding and upgrades to cabinets. This is particularly important for those who are located too far from upgraded cabinets to benefit from the current upgrade, as Hampshire County Council may need to contact them about future upgrades at a later date using additional funding. Typically, properties within a 1200-metre line length of the superfast cabinet will receive superfast speeds, and beyond this point there is speed degradation.
Cllr Rob Humby, Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Councillor for Bishop’s Waltham, said: “Both councils are in full support of this programme as superfast broadband is crucial to the vitality of our smaller rural communities, such as those found in my constituency areas. It will enable residents to do more online and faster, and for local businesses, it will open up new business ventures and opportunities.”
By the end of the programme in 2019, Hampshire County Council will have invested £12.9m – with £16.4m from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and £1.25m from district councils.
Councillor Roy Perry, Leader of Hampshire County Council, added: “Faster broadband is integral to the future prosperity of Winchester and the wider county as a whole, to ensure Hampshire businesses and families continue to thrive in today’s digital world. This is particularly important in harder-to-reach rural parts of the county, which is why we are continuing to invest in this technology with our partners, such as BT to support the local economy, help pupils with education and homework, and reduce social isolation by making it easier for people to communicate online. We are committed to leaving no-one behind.”
If your area is not currently included in the Superfast Broadband Programme there are a number of alternatives that can significantly improve your current speed or provide a connection while you wait. There is more information about alternative solutions at- http://www.hampshiresuperfastbroadband.com/alternative-solutions/
To find out when Superfast Broadband is coming to your area or to join the campaign visit: www.hampshiresuperfastbroadband.com
