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David Cameron says broadband funding will help Norfolk
The government funding will be particularly helpful in rural counties, the prime minister stated.
In a question-and-answer session with the Eastern Daily Press, the prime minister said the importance of broadband to "large, far-flung rural areas" cannot be underestimated.
The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition has invested £530 million from the BBC licence fee into funding the rollout of broadband in areas that will not be included in private sector deployments.
Explaining the initiative, Mr Cameron stated there is a "very, very great" danger that businesses in rural locations could be left without suitable broadband access, putting them at a commercial disadvantage against firms in urban areas.
"I think this will be hugely important, in particular for Norfolk and Suffolk, which are great business locations, but absolutely need those broadband connections," he commented.
Speaking in Prime Minister's Questions last week, the Conservative Party leader said the government's broadband investment will also be of major benefit to residents and businesses in Cumbria.
"The money we are investing for super-fast broadband will really help that county, particularly the most rural and far-flung parts, and will ensure that small businesses can benefit throughout the county," he remarked after being quizzed by Carlisle MP John Stevenson on measures that had been taken to boost commercial development.
According to research published last week by the CBI, the vast majority of British employers feel broadband services have gotten better in recent years.
Some 73 per cent of respondents claimed to have seen improvements in broadband networks over the past five years, while waste and water infrastructure was also said to be in a better position now than in 2006.
However, 58 per cent rated the UK's infrastructure as being worse than other EU countries, prompting the CBI to call for swift investment in road, rail, digital, waste and energy networks.