Ultra-fast web access will give hi-tech county new momentum

TENS of thousands of homes and businesses across York and Harrogate will benefit from ultra-fast broadband in a multi-million pound scheme to preserve North Yorkshire's burgeoning technology sector.

Up to 46,000 households and business premises across the two locations are to become the first in the county to be provided with the high-speed internet access early next year as part of a 2.5bn national roll-out by BT.

The move has been heralded as a cornerstone of a pioneering project to improve broadband coverage across North Yorkshire and bolster the growth in the technology and science industries. More than 35,000 workers are employed across science and technology-related sectors in North Yorkshire, and almost 30 per cent more work in creative industries than in agriculture.

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York Council's leader Andrew Waller said improved internet connections are vital to ensure the city's economy can compete effectively in the global economy.

Coun Waller has requested a detailed analysis from council officers on the roll-out of the upgrade programme in a bid to ensure a coherent strategy is being pursued.

He said: "We need to make sure that broadband coverage is improved across the whole county to encourage the growth of businesses in the technology and science sector.

"We have to demonstrate that we are ahead of the game and set ourselves achievable goals over the next two, five and 10 years. York's image as a science city has to be upheld to attract business from around the world.

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"To achieve this, the super-fast broadband connections are essential."

York ranks among the top 10 cities in the UK for broadband coverage, although many parts of the region are lagging behind.

Yorkshire has the lowest rates of internet connection in the country – 64 per cent of people are online compared with a national average of 71 per cent and vast swathes of East and North Yorkshire still cannot get broadband at all.

The pioneering NYnet project to introduce high speed internet coverage which is being overseen by North Yorkshire County Council was heralded as important as the arrival of the railways when it was announced nearly four years ago.

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BT has confirmed that it is upgrading exchanges in both Harrogate and York to provide the enhanced broadband coverage to the 46,000 properties early next year.

A total of 159,000 homes and businesses across South and West Yorkshire have already been given access to the improved connection speeds, but it will be the first time that the super-fast broadband scheme has been introduced North Yorkshire.

The telecommunications giant's regional partnership director, Trevor Higgins, said: "The investment is vital and it is extremely encouraging that we are now able to bring the benefits to North Yorkshire.

"We will be looking to introduce improved connections elsewhere in the county, including rural communities as well as more urban areas."

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The Yorkshire Post revealed in January that some of the fastest computer connections in the country were being introduced in York to give schools, libraries and other public offices unprecedented access to council services.

The multi-million pound project is also aiming to attract a wave of new business, with companies able to sign up to use the city-wide fibre optic communications network. The network provides super-fast broadband connectivity of up to 10Gbps as well as offering services such as advanced telephony, video conferencing, closed circuit television and traffic management services.

York Council signed a 13.7m contract for eight years with Pinacl Solutions and its partner, H2O Networks, to support schools, libraries, sports facilities and offices with a state-of-the-art "dark fibre" network.