Faster broadband pledged in North Yorkshire (From Gazette & Herald)

Faster broadband pledged in North Yorkshire

8:59am Thursday 13th September 2012 in News

A NEW high speed communications network aimed at medium-sized businesses, shops, schools and other organisations is to be installed in some areas of North Yorkshire within months.

BT has announced Easingwold, Leyburn, Pickering and Pocklington have been added to the roll-out programme of its Ethernet network, which has already gone live in Thirsk, Selby and around West Yorkshire.

The technology means businesses can get guaranteed broadband speeds from one megabit per second to ten gigabits per second, over a dedicated line and across multiple sites.

John Anderson, BT regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “For any company considering investing in Yorkshire and the Humber, high-speed Ethernet is attractive, while it can help existing businesses work and communicate more effectively.”

Some areas of Yorkshire are also set to benefit from the introduction of 4G mobile broadband later this year, although roll-out in North Yorkshire is yet to be announced.

The new service runs at about five times the speed of existing mobile data services, and makes it easier to watch live television and download movies. An auction of the services to providers is due to begin within months, but providers will not begin bidding until early next year.

Once the new infrastructure is in place, about 98 per cent of the UK population should be able to access some form of mobile broadband.

Nigel Adams , MP for Selby and Ainsty, has campaigned for increased broadband access for rural areas.

He said the latest plans were a step in the right direction.

“It’s crucial that as many people as possible get access to this new service that will assist businesses as well as provide access to new services for consumers,” said the MP.

“This, along with the Government’s superfast broadband roll out across North Yorkshire, adds up to a promising communications future. This further mobile investment will help transform our business and economy.”