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Kent still eyeing £43 million super-fast broadband funding
The county council's plans to improve broadband services are a "continuing priority".
The area's application to Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) was overlooked in the latest round of funding announcements, with the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition instead choosing to support schemes in Devon and Somerset, Norfolk and Wiltshire.
A combined £50 million has been awarded to boost connectivity in the four counties, although the majority of the cash - £30 million - went to the joint bid from Devon and Somerset.
Despite the setback, Kent County Council has insisted it is still keen to push forward with its ambitious plans to upgrade the local broadband infrastructure.
Speaking to Kent News, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise Kevin Lynes described the target of improving current levels of access as a "continuing priority".
He added: "The bold bid presented by Kent and Medway would have made an important and, in places, life-changing impact.
"While I am, of course, disappointed that the bid was not successful at this stage, the good news is that BDUK has said it wants to meet with each bidder.
"The door is very much still open for BDUK funding."
For its part, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has ruled out overlooking any local authority that is keen to improve its internet services.
Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt explained other councils will soon be given the opportunity to bid for a nationwide programme of financial support, as part of the government's plans to bring super-fast broadband to "virtually every community".
He is planning to announce the funding allocation for every authority across the UK by July, rather than calling for more bidders to come forward to run broadband pilot schemes.
A total of £530 million of government money will be available over the course of the current parliament to support the rollout of high-speed broadband.