Companies queue up to provide city with high-speed broadband

As reported by the Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire is home to five of the fastest urban areas in the country for broadband speeds with York, Huddersfield, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield all in the national top 10,

Although Huddersfield's average speed is far in front at 15.73Mb – significantly faster than 11.08Mb in second-placed Leeds – a new report underlined that York is also leading the way.

Council bosses have been putting out feelers about which firms might want to jump on

the broadband bandwagon and have been delighted at the response.

The city aims to offer speeds of at least 20Mbps by 2012.

Ian Floyd, York Council's director of resources, said: "Most notable is the intention of BT to provide 46,000 homes in the York and Harrogate areas with super-fast broadband through a combination of fibre to premise and fibre to cabinet.

"Discussions have take place with BT to confirm the location and timing of provision within the York. Another network provider has also expressed an early interest in developing fast broadband infrastructure in more remote rural areas of the city.

"Again, this is being considered further with the company. Through the use of outstanding reserves from the former York

and North Yorkshire Business Link company, NYnet are working on proposals to develop a number of 'smart business parks' in York and North Yorkshire; this will include the Middlethorpe Business Park."

The council was also working closely with another key player in the digital market, York Data Services, which supply networks to a large number of businesses in York.

The authority has also joined forces with Fibrecity to take forward its proposals for a city-wide fibre optic network for all premises in York.

Mr Floyd continued: "Therefore, there is the potential that the residents and business community within York could see a range of super-fast broadband provision becoming available if these early stage intentions become realised in the near future.

"The council's role is to essentially enable and facilitate this provision, without itself making any direct investment and central to this will be understanding the exact location of the infrastructure, how businesses and residents can benefit from this, identifying any gaps in provision and working with other parties to address these gaps."

The lack of any direct financial involvement meant there was no financial risk to charge payers. The only thing on the line was York's reputation if the schemes failed to deliver, he added.

"York has already been recognised in an independent survey as being one of the top 10 cities in the UK for broadband speeds, but this level of intended broadband infrastructure provision would provide a real competitive advantage for existing businesses and would help support the attraction of new investment to the city," Mr. Floyd said.

York Council has already teamed up with private sector partners Pinacl Solutions and H2O Networks for a programme started earlier in the year to establish a new fibre network around the city to provide access to public areas such as schools, libraries, housing and other front line services.

Discussions have also taken place with Fibrecity Holdings Ltd to develop a city-wide fibre optic network to provide all homes and businesses with a direct 100Mbps connection.

"The last Government outlined plans to ensure universal 2Mbps broadband to every household in the UK," Mr Floyd added.

"Clearly, there is a distinct competitive advantage to York if businesses and residents are able to access speeds substantially in excess of this target."