Broadband plan submitted by Northumberland County Council

Northumberland County Council has submitted a Local Broadband Plan to BDUK.

The government has sanctioned about GBP 7 million for the county in August 2011, and has asked the local council to arrange for an equal amount from their side.

The council has agreed to the proposal of the government. However the people are warned that the project will take time.

The project is crucial for the welfare of the county, as it is estimated that currently not even 20% of the people able to access the internet.

Coun Roger Styring of the council remarked that every effort will be made to improve the broadband services in the places because the economic recovery of the place is dependant largely on that. But the cost for the infra structure and installation of fiber cabling is enormous. Discussion is already on to get a commercial partner.

He also said that it is the duty of everyone in the county to cooperate to build up the necessary finance, share the available resources, provide low cost solutions etc. Teamwork is most essential.

However he was not happy with the fund allocated by the government. The county needs much more than that and that he will take up the matter with the higher authorities.

The council will recruit personnel to augment the Local Broadband Plan. An awareness programme has already been launched.