West Sussex fibre broadband plans greenlit by government

Plans to introduce new fibre broadband services to the West Sussex area have been ratified by the government.

The decision to give the go-ahead to the West Sussex Local Broadband Plan will unlock £6.26 million in funding, with the aim of providing superfast internet access to 90 per cent of the local population by April 2015.

Fibre-based technology will be prominently used in delivering these new high-speed services, but the council is also looking into wireless and satellite-based options to meet the needs of certain communities.

More than 2,000 people have already registered to show their support for the project, but the council is calling for more to sign up in order to ensure the benefits of the new broadband plans are spread as widely as possible.

Lionel Barnard, deputy leader of West Sussex County Council, said: "Better broadband access will bring many benefits to West Sussex. It'll boost business, reduce social isolation and enhance our way of life."