Gigabit broadband in many rural areas of North Norfolk is a step closer following the awarding of a major contract to County Broadband, to offer hyperfast broadband in areas unlikely to receive it through any other existing schemes.
The company, working with civil engineering partners NGE, will deliver broadband to 55 areas and over 20,000 premises in Norfolk - including North Norfolk - which may have been overlooked by other similar schemes. Contracts worth £114.2 million are currently being awarded to help reach areas with historically low (or non-existent) broadband speeds.
The map above shows areas which have been identified for action as part of the initial scope of the project (to be delivered by the end of 2023), and others to be rolled out by 2027.
The announcement has been welcomed as - post-pandemic - North Norfolk becomes ever more important as a centre for digital and e-commerce, as well as providing the latest technology to existing businesses. Duncan has been campaigning for better broadband and improved mobile network coverage since his election in 2019. The awarding of this contract, alongside moves towards a 'Shared Rural Network' (where mobile providers share masts to improve coverage in rural areas) marks an important step in achieving one of Duncan's key manifesto pledges.
