Fibre broadband arrives in Folkestone

Fibre optic broadband has gone live in the Kent town of Folkestone, with more than 17,000 properties set to be connected over the coming weeks.

BT engineers are currently working on the project, having previously completed super-fast broadband rollouts in several other locations across the county, including Hythe, Canterbury, Maidstone, Broadstairs, Whitstable and Ramsgate.

According to the telecoms giant, more than 2.7 million homes and businesses in the south-east will be able to access fibre broadband by the end of this year.

News of the deployment has been welcomed by Shepway Council's cabinet member for the economy Alan Clifton-Holt, who said the announcement has come at a time when the area requires a "much-needed boost".

"Important developments such as BT's investment in super-fast broadband offer us the potential to create new opportunities, services and growth," he added.

BT is planning to spend £2.5 billion on fibre optic broadband and has already rolled out the technology to more than 13 million properties across the country.