Keeping Yorkshire residents up to speed with ultrafast broadband rollout in hard-to-reach areas

A new online information hub has been launched so that thousands of residents and businesses across the most rural areas of North Yorkshire can find out how and when ultrafast broadband will finally reach them.

The ‘Connected Yorkshire’ website is part of the county’s digital infrastructure development, which will see broadband provider Quickline Communications install OFCOM ultrafast internet access in North Yorkshire’s remotest locations.

Quickline, which aims to be the leading UK-dedicated, rural broadband infrastructure provider, was appointed to deliver the Superfast North Yorkshire programme after winning a £12.5m contract, awarded by North Yorkshire County Council and NYnet, the council’s high-speed broadband connectivity provider.

Quickline has also invested £2.2m to deliver and maintain Next Generation Access (NGA) superfast broadband and, in the majority of cases, ultrafast broadband to 15,830 homes and businesses in isolated communities.  Indeed, most Quickline customers will enjoy gigabit-capable speeds (1000mbps).

Visitors to www.connectedyorkshire.co.uk will get the most up-to-date information about what services are available in their particular area as well as finding out when and where ultrafast broadband will be heading next.  They can also register interest if their postcode is not yet listed.

Sean Royce, Chief Executive Officer at Quickline Communications, said:

“We are delighted to be working with North Yorkshire County Council and NYnet as it will further strengthen our work delivering ultrafast broadband to isolated areas which have previously been ignored by other providers.

“On the Connected Yorkshire website, people just need to type in their postcode to find which broadband providers are available in their area and what packages they offer.  It couldn’t be easier for them.”

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, says the improved broadband services for North Yorkshire will make a positive and significant difference for both residents and business owners. He said:

“The Connected Yorkshire website will be a great resource where residents, businesses and service providers can keep up-to-date with developments and products within the Superfast North Yorkshire Programme.

“It will complement the postcode-based facility on the Superfast North Yorkshire site at superfastnorthyorkshire.com, which enables people to check whether a superfast connection is available in their area.

“It’s imperative that there’s a mindset shift because high-quality internet requirements are of equal importance regardless of location.  We’re aiming to set the bar high with a real solution to poor-quality broadband, as this is currently causing implications for our rural communities that should not be underestimated.

“We are delighted to be working closely with Quickline and are impressed by its prioritisation of the needs of people who are being disadvantaged in receiving the broadband service they deserve, simply because of where they choose to live or do business. We look forward to helping North Yorkshire’s digital progression make a significant step forward.”

For more information about Quickline and how they deliver high-speed broadband to rural areas, please visit www.quickline.co.uk, call 01482 24-7-365 or email sales@quickline.co.uk.