Jeremy Hunt unveils 14 cities on fibre broadband funding shortlist

Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester are among the 14 cities in the running to secure government funding for the rollout of fibre optic broadband with speeds of up to 100Mbps.

Up to ten metropolitan areas will eventually be selected for the urban broadband fund following an application process in which the bidders must demonstrate how they will utilise the advanced infrastructure to drive growth.

Virgin Media and BT have pledged to strengthen their networks in the successful cities, which also include Birmingham, Bradford, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield, plus the four capitals.

The government will give the winners a share of £100 million to improve fibre optic broadband connectivity in areas not covered by private sector rollouts.

"We are determined to ensure the UK has the digital infrastructure we need to drive growth," commented Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The news is likely to come as a disappointment to Northern Irish Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster, who had expressed hope that Londonderry, Newry and Lisburn would be included in the competition.