Broadband enablement programme for Leicestershire now complete

All 83 exchanges now upgraded to Broadband

BT today announced that all of its 83 local telephone exchanges serving more than 420,000 homes and businesses, in Leicestershire and Rutland have been upgraded to broadband.
The company completed its enablement programme across both counties when broadband was switched on at Somerby exchange as part of its £1.5 billion national broadband investment programme.
Mick McLoughlin, BT’s regional director for the East Midlands, said: “We’ve reached a significant milestone and this is excellent news for the people living and working here. The ongoing commitment and efforts of the Leicester Shire Economic Partnership, Leicester Broadband for All Campaign and local campaigners have been invaluable in the journey to achieve this broadband enablement. Ensuring people living and working in Leicestershire make maximum use of broadband services is imperative to the growth of the local economy and future success.
“We remain committed to working with our partners to look for more innovative ways of demonstrating the benefits of information and communications technology and broadband applications.”
Currently more than 75,000 households and businesses are using BT broadband services in Leicestershire and Rutland. This means that almost 18 per cent of the homes and businesses that have access to broadband services across the two counties are using them.
Kishor Tailor, Chief Executive, Leicester Shire Economic Partnership (LSEP) said: “Since the LSEP was established we've been determined to see all businesses have the same access to broadband and therefore an equal chance of succeeding. This is a significant milestone and I would like to thank all partners that have been involved but it's not the end of the work in these rural communities. Broadband might be available to businesses but some may require additional support to make the most of this new service.
When BT unveiled its national roll-out programme in April 2004 it promised to bring broadband to virtually every home and business (99.6 per cent) in the county by summer 2005.
BT was selected as the preferred supplier by Leicester Shire Economic Partnership’s Broadband Business Fund to fill in the remaining broadband gaps in Leicestershire.
As a result exchanges at Hungarton, Tilton and Tugby, which were previously not included in BT’s national investment programme, were upgraded for broadband in April 2005.