Broadband upgrade for rural properties

£43 million of funding has been announced to upgrade broadband in rural parts of Oxfordshire and North East Staffordshire.

Around 16,000 homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas will be upgraded with lightning-fast broadband.

£26.5 million will be spent on around 10,000 homes and businesses in rural Oxfordshire communities including Stoke Row, Somerton and North Aston will benefit from fast and reliable broadband connections and £16.5 million will see around 6,000 rural properties in North East Staffordshire including Longnor, Marchington and Alstonefield receive internet speeds more than 30 times faster than superfast broadband.

The funding is part of the Project Gigabit, which aims to ensure people have the same access to high-speed broadband wherever they live, work and study.

Minister for data and digital infrastructure, Sir John Whittingdale, said: "We want to make sure that no matter where you live or work, everyone has access to reliable internet which is why we’re spending billions to upgrade local networks.

"In rural Oxfordshire and North East Staffordshire, thousands will experience the positive impact fast and reliable broadband has as their connectivity improves, supporting households and businesses, fostering growth and boosting productivity.

"Work will now begin in these areas covering around 16,000 properties and by facilitating the fastest connections, we are not just reaping the benefits now but positioning the UK for a future where our broadband infrastructure remains resilient for decades to come."