Broadband boost for Ayrshire towns

Jun 29 2012 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

HIGH-speed broadband will be rolled out to more than 4500 homes and businesses in Prestwick next year.

And it’s hoped the major investment by BT will create new jobs and businesses in the town.

Prestwick is one of 21 Scottish communities named as part of a £2.5 billion roll-out of fibre broadband across the UK.

The investment is expected to give a major lift to the local economy.

Brendan Dick, BT Scotland director, said: “The arrival of fibre broadband in Prestwick will be a massive shot in the arm for the local economy, creating new businesses, jobs and educational opportunities.

“Local firms and households who make the switch to fibre broadband will be able to do so much more with their connection, whether they’re using it for business, entertainment, education, social networking or shopping – or all of these at once.

“They’re joining more than 10 million premises now passed by our fibre network and becoming part of one of the fastest roll-outs of the technology anywhere in the world.”

Chic Brodie, MSP for South Scotland, said: “I am delighted by the news from BT Scotland that super-fast broadband is coming to Prestwick.

“An upgrade to our digital highway will aid the competitiveness of existing businesses in South Ayrshire and will expand the number of exciting business opportunities being worked on for Prestwick, its airport and South Ayrshire.”

Brian Donohoe, MP for Central Ayrshire, added: “This is very welcome news from BT for the hundreds of Prestwick homes and businesses.

“Super-fast broadband is an essential building block to economic recovery and growth.

“It gives our local firms a boost and brings us a competitive edge in attracting new businesses, jobs and investment.

“Residents will also benefit from being able to do more, better and faster, online.”

Cumnock in East Ayrshire is also set to benefit with more than 4200 premises receiving an upgrade.

By next spring, BT aims to make speeds of 330Mbps commercially available in any area where fibre broadband has been deployed.

The UK’s current average broadband speed is 7.6Mbps, according to the regulator Ofcom.

Adam Ingram, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, said: “This is great news for both residents and business in Cumnock.

“High-speed broadband is essential in today’s world to ensure social and economic development.

“Cumnock is currently regarded as a vulnerable small town and being one of 21 communities included in the latest phase of BT’s fibre broadband programme is a major boost to its future sustainability.”

In a joint statement, Cathy Jamieson, MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, and Sandra Osborne, MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, said: “This is very welcome news from BT.

“Super-fast broadband is an essential building block to economic recovery and growth.

“It gives our local firms a boost and brings us a competitive edge in attracting new businesses, jobs and investment.

“Residents will also benefit from being able to do more, better and faster, online.”