Cities 'lagging on broadband' named

Updated

Liverpool, Newcastle and Bath have been named as the three cities which are making "making insufficient progress" on plans to install a high-speed broadband network across Britain.

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The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is apparently seeking talks with the local authorities concerned to tell them that they will have funding cut if don't pull their fingers out.

There are 47 projects to improve broadband speed and access across the country and 44 of these are understood to be in progress already - but communications Minister Ed Vaizey is reported to be seeking urgent meetings with officials at three groups of councils.

One of these groups is Liverpool, Knowsley, St. Helens, Sefton and Wirral. The next is Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland - and the last is Bath and North East Somerset.

There are 47 projects to improve broadband speed and access across the country - and 44 of these are said to be in progress already.

Mr Vaizey said the Government wanted to work with the three areas to continue "delivering robust broadband plans", but warned: "We do not intend to continue to fund councils if they continue to fail to deliver."

The UK is spending £630m improving the broadband network, with another £100m of European funding secured to make further gains.

Mr Vaizey said he had "been impressed by the enthusiasm the majority of councils have shown for seizing the opportunity to roll-out superfast broadband".

What do you reckon? Is the UK behind the curve on broadband? Comment below...

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