Ed Vaizey praises Superfast Dorset milestone

Communications Minister Ed Vaizey has praised the work of the Superfast Dorset fibre broadband rollout programme following the announcement that it has now connected 8,000 premises to the high-speed technology.

Mr Vaizey stated: "This is fantastic news - Dorset has achieved a lot in the year since the rollout began and I'm delighted that already so many homes and businesses are enjoying access to superfast broadband."

This is a significant milestone achievement for the rollout project - especially as it was only launched last year - and there are an additional 10,000 residential and commercial properties set to receive a connection to better broadband under its umbrella by the end of 2014.

These include premises in Upwey, Preston, Abbotsbury, Dorchester, Maiden Newton, Warmwell and Puddletown, with residents based in these communities to gain access to the superfast service during the rollout programme's second phase.

Overall, it is hoped that by the end of 2016, more than 80,000 local people will have been connected to fibre broadband thanks to Superfast Dorset and £31.75 million of investment in the cause.