Access to the internet is increasingly an essential part of everyday life. South Gloucestershire Council is committed to ensuring that all residents and businesses have access to fast, reliable and affordable broadband, and the social and economic benefits that it can bring.
The Government’s vision is that the UK will have the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015.
Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) funding bid
South Gloucestershire Council is working to access matched funding from the Government to improve broadband coverage in South Gloucestershire.
The private sector broadband market will be providing superfast broadband to around two-thirds of communities over the next few years. However, it is essential that homes and businesses in areas in the remaining third of our communities are not left behind. The aim of the broadband funding is to use public investment to subsidise the provision of infrastructure required for faster broadband in those areas where it will not be provided by the private sector market.
Broadband progress
Residents and businesses survey
Earlier this year residents and local businesses completed an online survey to help demonstrate demand for improved broadband in the district. The information gathered will be used as evidence to encourage commercial operators to invest in the local broadband infrastructure, by giving confidence to these operators that their investment will be rewarded. The results are available under read more 'analysis of residents & business survey'.
State aid consultation
The European Commission (EC) requires that local authorities only invest in areas where they can demonstrate there is no current, or planned (i.e. within the next three years) deployment of either standard or superfast broadband by the private sector. These are termed “white areas”- where it is possible to invest with public subsidy.
Broadband providers, as well as residents and businesses were consulted during February and March 2012 on their existing superfast broadband networks in Wiltshire, Swindon and South Gloucestershire and whether they have any plans to deploy superfast broadband in the area over the next three years. This was to check that the information the councils are using as a basis for the procurement is correct and that we will be investing in the areas that need State Aid intervention. The information has been used by the councils to finalise calculations of the number of premises that are within the white area, for which the councils are allowed to use public funds to intervene.
Procurement
Under the plans agreed with Wiltshire and Swindon councils, the process of inviting bids from commercial suppliers is underway, with the contract announcement due in the summer.
Find out more
Press releases
Broadband news
Rural Community Broadband Fund
In May 2012, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced the second round of a £20m Rural Community Broadband Fund which will enable communities to set up their own superfast community broadband projects who are unlikely to receive superfast broadband through private sector provision or with the BDUK and council subsidy. The second Expression of Interest round is open between 10 May and 6 July 2012. To find out more and apply visit the Defra website.