Residents and local businesses are being encouraged to show their support for faster broadband in South Gloucestershire.
The council is urging everyone who wants a high-speed connection to complete an online survey to help demonstrate market demand in the district.
The information gathered will be used as evidence to encourage commercial operators to invest in the local broadband infrastructure as part of a scheme being prepared by the council.
Under the plans, central government and council funding will be awarded to a contractor to install high-speed broadband in areas that would not normally be attractive to commercial suppliers.
South Gloucestershire Council Executive Member for Corporate Affairs John Goddard said:
“Ensuring our residents and businesses have access to a fast, reliable and affordable broadband service is a priority for South Gloucestershire Council. Better broadband provision will allow local businesses to prosper and will improve the quality of life for residents.”
“This is a complex project involving a wide number of partners and council officers have already carried out a great deal of preparatory work on South Gloucestershire’s bid for funding during the last year.”
“The more businesses and local people that take part in the survey the stronger the case for investment and the more attractive the contract will be for potential commercial suppliers. I urge everyone with a desire for faster broadband to make their wishes known.”
The council is currently finalising its submission to the government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) scheme, which will distribute a total of £530 million in funding across the UK.
With plans for South Gloucestershire at an advanced stage, it is hoped that the district will be among the first to have its funding approved by BDUK during 2012.
The survey can be accessed on the council website: www.southglos.gov.uk/broadband
