Member Article

First phase of Digital Durham partnership reaches completion

The first phase of the multi million pound Digital Durham partnership has reached completion, with over 107,000 households and businesses now able to access faster fibre broadband of up to 80Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20Mbps.

Work is now underway on the second phase of the roll-out, an additional £9m investment, set to bring fibre broadband speeds within reach of a further 29,000 homes and businesses across the programme area by December 2018.

Across the programme area, people living and working in locations such as Middleton-in-Teesdale, Low Fell, Stanley, North Shields, South Shields, Wideopen, Lanchester, Benton, Stillington, Wellfield and Boldon will soon be enjoying the benefits of faster broadband.

Cllr Jane Brown, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for corporate services, said: “The completion of phase one, providing faster broadband to more than 107,000 homes and businesses is a major milestone in our partnership with BT.

“It’s a real source of pride that so many people can now use this technology for work, study and pleasure.”

In total, £34m has been invested in Digital Durham by BT, Durham County Council, the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) programme and public sector partners in Gateshead, Sunderland, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Tees Valley.

Jane added: “We’re not resting on our laurels. This further investment through phase two will ensure faster broadband is available to even more people and we’ll consider whether we can further improve coverage beyond this.”

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