ICE CREAM-inspired celebrations were prompted after the latest street side cabinet was switched on, bringing high-speed broadband to 99 per cent of Malvern residents.
The unit, based on Swinyard Road in Malvern Vale, went live on Friday (August 1) and is the latest development in a £20million joint investment scheme between Worcestershire County Council and BT.
The target is to bring high-speed broadband to 90 per cent of residents and businesses throughout the county but the existing layout in Malvern has meant the town’s availability is now near perfect.
Harriett Baldwin, West Worcestershire MP, was present on Friday having lobbied for faster speeds throughout her constituency.
“Malvern Vale was one of the more challenging cabinets in the town and I raised the concerns of residents with BT’s management on a number of occasions,” she said.
“I am pleased that the Superfast Worcestershire project team has been able to bring about this success story and I welcome their efforts to get faster connections to the hundreds of homes served by this cabinet.
“The good news is that Malvern is very nearly completely upgraded and I hope those people who are not yet connected in the town will get in touch with the county council.”
Mrs Baldwin added she would now turn her attention to rural areas which were still living with poor broadband services.
Residents have also welcomed the latest switch-on including mum Jackie Degville of Midsummer Close, who said she was reliant on the technology in order to work from home and spend time with her daughter as well as keeping in touch when she was abroad.
Coun Simon Geraghty, deputy council leader and cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure, added: “High-speed fibre broadband is important for everyone to be able to make the most of the growing range of online services.
“Ensuring people and businesses can have the best possible experiences interacting via the Internet is a vital part of the county council’s strategy to support Worcestershire’s future economy and keep the county open for business.”
Visit www.superfastworcestershire.com to keep updated on the roll-out of the scheme.
