Cheshire East Council has announced that they plan to invest £4. 5m into fibre broadband this year

The plans mean that hard to reach areas in rural communities will have access to gigabit-capable, full-fibre broadband, something that has incredible benefits for not just home use, but also the ability for businesses to trade.

The funds will be part of the Connecting Cheshire Partnership and will help to deliver fibre broadband to 4,000 properties.

Cheshire East Council’s cabinet member for environment and regeneration, Cllr Nick Mannion, said:

“The fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) deal with Airband comes at a key time during the pandemic, to provide optimum connectivity to homeworkers and businesses across Cheshire East.

“The innovative methods to connect hard to reach and rural areas will certainly boost work productivity and streaming family entertainment services during the national lockdown and beyond.

“Swifter internet services will help limit many of the frustrations people are facing now, juggling home and work life. It is crucial that everyone has sufficient internet at all hours to suit diverse working patterns and household needs.”

The project is due to start work in early 2021, with the completion expected to come in 2023.