Keighley and Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins hails fibre broadband launch

The rollout of fibre optic broadband in Keighley has been welcomed by local MP Kris Hopkins.

BT has already deployed super-fast connectivity to the first homes and businesses in the West Yorkshire town, with more than 14,700 properties set to be hooked up once the work is finished in the coming weeks.

The installation comes as part of a national project that has seen the telecoms giant bring fibre broadband to over 13 million premises across the UK. BT aims to complete the project during spring 2014, by which time the technology will be available to two-thirds of properties.

Welcoming the news, Keighley and Ilkley MP Mr Hopkins said the investment has the potential to create "significant new opportunities, services and growth" in his constituency.

"This is a very positive step forward for Keighley," he declared.

John Anderson, BT's regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber, said the fibre broadband rollout is "bringing a boost for local economies wherever it goes".