Member Article

Rothbury passes the fibre broadband finishing line

Communities in and around the Northumberland town of Rothbury can now get some of the fastest broadband speeds in the country, thanks to the completion of a new fibre network three months ahead of schedule.

This is another forward thinking technological step for North East towns following yesterday’s news of Ryton becoming the first location in the North East to benefit from the Better Broadband in Gateshead project.

Rothbury itself was actually the first community in the UK to go superfast using the Government’s Rural Community Broadband Fund (RCBF).

Funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, it is helping ensure that communities not covered by the existing roll-out of fibre broadband, are not left behind in the race for high-speed internet access.

Government has provided more than £400,000 to roll-out superfast broadband across Rothbury, with BT chosen to build and deliver the infrastructure and network as well as making a significant financial investment towards the project.

The roll-out is part of the county-wide iNorthumberland broadband programme, a key part of the council’s growth investment, which is being delivered by Northumberland County Council and BT.

Since the first fibre broadband street cabinet, situated on Station Road, ‘went live’ in December last year, more than 1,665 homes and businesses in Rothbury, and nearby Thropton, Snitter and Catington, have been given access to the new fibre broadband network and the benefits of faster broadband speeds.

Environment Minister, Dan Rogerson, said: “Bringing faster, more reliable broadband to the UK is vital to help build a stronger economy and fairer society.

“That is why it is great to see rural communities like Rothbury achieve their target, not only on budget, but three months ahead of time.

“Thanks to our investment, local people can now access to some of the fastest speeds in the UK.

“This will bring huge benefits to everyone who lives and works in the area unlocking the economic potential of the town.”