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Devon and Somerset team up to bid for super-fast broadband cash
The two councils are aiming to bring speeds of at least 20Mbps to 85 per cent of local properties.
The two local authorities have confirmed they will make an application for some of the £530 million of Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) cash set aside by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition to improve the country's internet infrastructure.
Policymakers at the West Country councils are looking to bring speeds of more than 20Mbps to 85 per cent of homes and businesses in the area. Under the plans, all properties will have access to a minimum of 2Mbps by 2015.
Across the UK as a whole, the BDUK money has been made available to encourage the rollout of super-fast broadband to the "final third" of premises that are not deemed commercially viable to be connected by the likes of BT and Virgin Media.
However, the councils have argued the scale of the problem is much greater in Devon and Somerset, with 300,000 properties - representing around half of all residences and firms operating in the counties - struggling with poor connectivity.
Many of these are located in rural areas, market towns and coastal communities.
More than a fifth of businesses in Devon claimed they are being held back by slow broadband and three-quarters said they would be helped by improved speeds.
And 22 per cent of rural-based companies in Somerset are being hampered by their internet connection, compared with just five per cent in urban areas.
Will Mumford, cabinet member for economic regeneration and strategic planning at Devon County Council, said: "I am delighted that we are working with Somerset on this pioneering bid.
"This is one of many initiatives we are considering to support business and the rollout of broadband and we can both profit from our joint approach."
Elsewhere in the West Country, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire county councils recently announced they will use cash from a successful BDUK bid to pay for a trial of super-fast broadband.
The £12 million project, kick-started by £300,000 from each of the local authorities, will cover parts of Herefordshire, Gloucester and Tewkesbury, plus up to 80 per cent of the Forest of Dean.