Birmingham Chamber of Commerce hails fibre broadband plan

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has welcomed plans that will see fibre optic broadband coverage extended to tens of thousands more West Midlands properties.

A further 245,000 homes and businesses in six Birmingham and Black Country communities have been included in BT's commercial super-fast broadband rollout, with the work set to be completed before the end of spring 2014.

Chelmsley Wood, Stechford and parts of Aston, as well as Finchfield, Oldbury and Tipton are set to benefit from the rollout, which will also expand coverage in areas that have already been upgraded or are due to be connected in the coming months.

Commenting on the announcement, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce said the investment should help to increase confidence about an economic recovery.

Jerry Blackett, chief executive of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group, commented: "This is very welcome news as we move forward in another challenging year. Local firms and households will be greatly encouraged by such a major investment."