North of Tyne secures £12m to enhance digital connectivity in rural communities

Rural communities in the North of Tyne region are set to be digitally connected following a successful bid for £12m.

The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) has been awarded the funding from Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as part of the Local Full Fibre Networks Programme.

The investment will be focused on bringing digital connectivity to the region’s rural areas, such as Northumberland, by rolling out fibre internet connections to public buildings across the region.

Cllr Nick Forbes, the North of Tyne cabinet member for business competitiveness and leader of Newcastle City Council commented: “This is a fantastic outcome which will allow us to further enhance the region’s reputation for its pioneering approaching to technological developments.

“We have one of the fastest-growing technology sectors outside the capital, and the rollout of full fibre internet to those more rural regions will help more communities within the North of Tyne area benefit from that.”

Jamie Driscoll, the North of Tyne Mayor, added: “Just as connectivity with the railways changed people’s lives in the industrial revolution, Full Fibre is part of the Green Industrial Revolution.

“The Full Fibre project gives us an edge in infrastructure. It gives a platform for clean economic growth - as virtual reality software becomes increasingly common, it helps tackle climate change by reducing the need to drive around in order to connect with each other.”