Councillors to be given broadband cover update

A Durham County Council project to increase superfast broadband coverage has reached 97%, new figures show.

Members of the council’s cabinet will be told next week that, when the local authority established its Digital Durham programme in 2013, coverage was just 65%.

The cabinet meeting on Wednesday will also hear the council is now working closely with commercial suppliers and the Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), on the delivery of Project Gigabit, to put the county’s homes and businesses in the best possible position in terms of gigabit-capable coverage.

Digital Durham is now focussed on the roll-out of next-generation broadband services, such as full-fibre connections and expanding 5G network capability.

Susan McDonnell, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for digital, customer services and procurement, said: “The provision of county-wide, fast and reliable broadband connectivity is an integral part of our plan and ambitions for economic growth, increasing employment opportunities and creating the right environment to build thriving, connected communities.

“Better access in harderto-reach rural areas will help address digital exclusion and support the levelling-up of rural businesses, farming, and tourism, as well as the broader rural community in terms of education, access to jobs and social inclusion.”

Councillors will also get an update on Digital Drive – a £4m scheme aimed at helping the county’s small to medium-sized firms maximise their growth through digital technology.