Notts council chief says fibre broadband benefits cannot be understated

Fibre optic broadband access will offer a major boost to Nottingham, according to city council chief executive Jane Todd.

Speaking to the Nottingham Post, Ms Todd said the benefits of the technology would be felt by businesses and consumers alike.

"We must not underestimate the impact that this next generation of digital infrastructure would have on our social and economic change in the future," she commented.

Nottingham has lodged a bid for the government's Urban Broadband Fund, which will provide financial support for the rollout of fibre broadband and advanced mobile services in up to ten cities across the UK.

If it is to secure the funding, Nottingham must see off competition from the likes of Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool and Sheffield. The UK's four capitals are guaranteed to receive funding.

The latest Ofcom regional broadband speeds research shows super-fast broadband is available to just under nine in ten properties in Nottingham, while overall broadband uptake in the city - excluding next-generation connections - stands at 65 per cent.