BT includes Hereford in fibre broadband rollout programme

Hereford has been named by BT as the first community in Herefordshire to gain access to its fibre optic broadband technology.

By the end of 2012, more than 26,000 homes and businesses in the city will be hooked up to the telecoms giant's super-fast broadband network.

The news comes as part of BT's announcement that a further 178 exchanges across the country have been included in its fibre broadband deployment programme.

Neil Kerr, chair of the Herefordshire Business Board, welcomed the development and said fast broadband connectivity is "absolutely vital" for local properties.

The importance of high-quality internet access to the county's economy cannot be underestimated, the business leader insisted.

"It gives businesses a competitive edge in today's crowded marketplace and provides access to new markets and will support Hereford's ambitions to grow as a local sustainable economy," he remarked.

Mr Kerr went on to state he is looking forward to a time when fibre optic broadband is universally available across the county.