A ceremony will be held in Norfolk today (April 18th 2011) to mark the submission of the county council's bid for Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) funding.

The local authority is going up against 24 other administrations from across the country to try to secure some of the government's money for super-fast broadband, reports the Eastern Daily Press.

Under Norfolk County Council's (NCC's) plans, BDUK will contribute £15 million towards a scheme estimated to cost £60 million. Some £30 million will come from the broadband provider that wins the contract if the bid succeeds, with the remaining £15 million set to be put forward by NCC.

Residents and businesses across the region will be able to access speeds of at least 2Mbps by 2015 if the application is given the green light.

It is believed that more than 93,000 properties would benefit from an improved internet connection, with over 9,500 receiving minimum download capabilities of 2Mbps for the first time.

Some 130,000 people and 200 businesses have given their backing to the scheme by signing letters of support and returning testimonial forms.

Derrick Murphy, leader of NCC, claimed there is no doubt Norfolk currently suffers from "disproportionately poor" broadband access.

"With the internet becoming central to virtually every aspect of modern life, this is holding our county back in so many ways - impeding our businesses, feeding inequalities and limiting the opportunities for people of all ages. We simply cannot afford to accept this any longer," he said.

"Improving our broadband network in Norfolk is one of the best investments we could make."

Also in the running for BDUK cash are Devon and Somerset county councils, which are looking to bring minimum speeds of 20Mbps to 85 per cent of homes and businesses.

The Somerset County Gazette revealed residents, community groups and businesses are being urged to demonstrate their demand for fast broadband by completing a special online survey.

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18th August 2009

This sounds all very well until you take into account the following: As all ISP’s have a limited fair usage policy, even those ISPs who claim to give unlimited download still state a fair usage policy is in place. Hence by increasing the download speed the faster you reach your limit, before you either have restrictions placed on you and at worse loose your contract. Until such times as this problem is addressed the push to watch TV via Broadband will only hasten the problems occurrence. Signed Carl Barron Chairman of agpcuk