Gloucestershire business broadband users to benefit from BT upgrade

Firms in and around the Cotswolds that rely on their business broadband connection could be set for a drastic improvement in fortunes over the coming months.

BT has confirmed some 52,000 premises – both residential and commercial – in the region will be included in its latest upgrade, reported the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard.

It is part of a project by the organisation's local network business Openreach to install high-speed fibre links across two-thirds of the country by 2014.

Speeds varying from 20 Mbps to 300 Mbps are due to be offered by the company, all of which are faster than the national average of just 6.8 Mbps.

John Reynolds, BT's south-west regional director, said: "At a stroke, small and medium sized firms will have access to big business speeds at much lower costs allowing them to find new markets, boost their competitiveness and create new jobs."

The New Post Leader told last week how spots in the north-east will also benefit from the BT scheme, with Blyth, Ashlington and Bedlington due to be included in the rollout of the latest technology.