Homes with slow broadband in Northamptonshire can now apply for speed-up satellite dish

Northamptonshire County Council says the scheme will provide immediate support for residents and businesses in the county which are “currently suffering some of the worst broadband speeds.”

It means around 1,650 properties in the county can now apply for a voucher worth up to £350 towards the cost of installation of a satellite dish and the equipment necessary to provide a satellite broadband service.

The so-called Satellite Broadband Voucher Scheme is eligible in areas where the existing provision is below 2Mbps.

Cabinet member for strategic infrastructure at Northamptonshire County Council, Councillor Andre Gonzalez De Savage, said: “The county council is continuing to invest in next generation fibre based broadband and our ambitious target is to see this available across the county by the end of 2017.

“However, some residents and businesses are suffering such poor broadband speeds that they need a solution for faster broadband now – the satellite scheme is there to provide that choice.”

The scheme is being managed by the County Council in association with the Department for Culture Media and Sport, and BT.

The County Council ran a satellite demonstrator project in 2014 which followed the experience of a farmer from Glapthorn in East Northamptonshire.

You can view a video about his experience and find out more about the new Satellite Broadband Voucher Scheme on the project website at www.superfastnorthamptonshire.net