Bath & North East Somerset Council has welcomed the news that Openreach plans to install ultrafast, full fibre broadband in Midsomer Norton as a major boost for business.

The installation of the world-class infrastructure opens the door for investment, growth and productivity in the area with small and medium enterprises set to benefit the most, no longer being held back by slow speeds and poor reliability.

Openreach has set a deadline of December 2026 to connect more than twenty-five million premises to ultra-fast broadband, with work starting this summer on the previously announced upgrade to Keynsham’s infrastructure.

Councillor Richard Samuel, cabinet member for Resources and Economic Development, said: “This is fantastic news for both residents and businesses in Midsomer Norton. As we see a shift in people’s desire to balance work commitments with quality of life, access to gigabit-capable download and upload speeds will enable our rural businesses to attract the best talent, plugging skills gaps and helping to rebuild the local economy.

“Once installed, more people in the town will be able to access or return to employment through flexible working – including those with caring or parenting responsibilities and older workers. Enabling more people in our rural communities to work from home also reduces the need for commuter journeys, cutting carbon emissions.”

Full-fibre broadband coverage to areas of Midsomer Norton not covered by Openreach will also be expanded as part of the Connecting Devon and Somerset programme.

Truespeed has been contracted to provide full fibre broadband to 15,170 homes and businesses across Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and Mendip. It has begun its primary “backhaul” connection in Bath, Kingston Seymour, Wells, Saltford, and Nunney, and it anticipates the first premises in each of these areas will be connected by this autumn. It also plans to publish its detailed rollout plans this summer.

Further details are available by visiting: https://www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk/new-contracts-

update-11th-march-2021/

Meanwhile residents and businesses in rural areas experiencing slow broadband speeds are being reminded funding is still available from the Government to help cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband to their door.

The vouchers are worth up to £1,500 for homes and £3,500 for businesses. To check whether you are eligible, visit: https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/