Super-fast broadband expected to boost Suffolk economy by £5bn
Super-fast broadband will deliver a £5 billion boost to the economy of Suffolk, according to the county council.
The Better Broadband for Suffolk project aims to bring downstream speeds of at least 25Mbps to every home and business in the area, with work set to get underway on the initiative before the end of this year.
Speaking to the Bury Free Press, Suffolk County Council leader Mark Bee said the initiative will "put something like £5 billion into the local economy" and bring about an end to the so-called digital divide between urban and rural communities.
"We should be one of the first four local authorities in the country to get super-fast broadband so that will give us a real edge," he added.
A preferred provider to deliver the broadband project will be named this autumn, with BT and Fujitsu in the running for the contract.
In April, a report from Regeneris Consulting claimed BT's investment in super-fast broadband will create thousands of jobs and start-up businesses in Suffolk over the next 15 years.
Last year, BT gave a £536 million boost to the county's economy and was responsible for the employment of more than 3,500 people in the area, according to Regeneris.
