BT fibre broadband network passes 1m Yorkshire properties

Fibre optic broadband can now be received by more than one million homes and businesses in Yorkshire thanks to BT's extensive rollout programme.

Despite hitting this significant milestone, the telecoms giant admits it still has a long way to go. Bill Murphy, BT's Managing Director of Next Generation Access, explained the company is aiming to pass over 1.4 million properties by next May - a target it is on track to reach.

The work is part of a £2.5 billion commercial deployment that is ultimately set to bring super-fast broadband within reach of two-thirds of the UK.

Mr Murphy highlighted the risk that BT faced in committing to the scheme, pointing out that the project got underway three years ago while the country was gripped by recession, reports the Yorkshire Post.

As well as the commercial rollout, the network operator is partnering with North Yorkshire County Council to upgrade 365,000 properties across the region.

"It's a real engineering challenge to get the network out," said Mr Murphy. "We have 10,000km of fibre in North Yorkshire to deliver."