CONNECTING Devon and Somerset has announced that Airband will be the delivery partner for the next phase of the superfast broadband programme across the Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks.

The National Parks represent some of the most challenging terrain for connecting remote rural communities to superfast broadband.

Airband, is a specialist in high speed wireless broadband for rural areas, will be responsible for delivering improved broadband speeds to some 5,800 homes and businesses through a fixed wireless access network based in the National Parks.

This is in addition to the existing phase 1 rollout which is on track to deliver superfast broadband to around 90% of homes and businesses across Devon and Somerset by the end of 2016.

Councillor David Hall, deputy leader of Somerset County Council, said: “This is a very positive development for the region, as it becomes increasingly connected and this new contract represents a key part of our journey to bring faster broadband speeds to the whole of the region.

“This stage of the roll out will have a strong focus on the business community, including homeworkers, courtesy of funding from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, eventually helping to provide a predicted three quarters of a billion pound economic boost to the region.

Dr Nigel Stone, chief executive of Exmoor National Park Authority, added: “We are very pleased that this contract with Airband will improve the delivery of superfast broadband to a significant number of premises and in addition will ensure everybody across Exmoor will have access to improved broadband.

Steve Hindley, chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) said: “We are very pleased that the success of the Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) project will benefit the business and resident communities of our two national parks with superfast broadband to help drive business growth.

“CDS is one of the main connectivity projects supported by HotSW LEP through the Growth Deal and Growing Places Fund – connectivity being a central aim of our Strategic Economic Plan – it’s also the largest superfast broadband project in England which helps us achieve another of our central aims: to increase HotSW’s contribution to UK plc.

"We are committed to continuing to work with CDS to deliver the maximum outputs possible for superfast broadband throughout the Heart of the South West area.”

Cllr Karen Mills from West Somerset District Council said: “This is great news for West Somerset and Exmoor as it opens up new opportunities for business growth and the ability for residents to work remotely.

"A significant positive factor for the residents of Exmoor! This cannot come soon enough.”

Residents and businesses can keep up to date with the latest cabinets going live via Twitter @DCCSCCBroadband or via connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk, where you can search your postcode to check on superfast broadband in your area.