Government targets multi-million pound investment to improve Hampshire's high speed internet access

Hampshire is currently below the national average for full fibre coverage with nine per cent of premises having high speed gigabit connectivity compared to 10 per cent nationally.

Speaking in Parliament this week, Matt Warman, parliamentary under-secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, said: ‘Specifically in Hampshire the government has invested heavily in this county, with over £15m of government funding allocated.

‘This government will continue to take action to remove barriers to network rollout and to ensure that those in the hardest-to-reach areas are not left behind.’

Internet providers, Virgin Media, switched on full gigabit capability to Southampton in September 2019, whilst CityFibre, Toob and Trooli have all announced plans to invest in full fibre networks.

Mr Warman added: ‘The government is also supporting deployment in Hampshire with projects in Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight through the Local Full Fibre Networks programme.’

Hampshire County Council has confirmed millions of pounds of investment to improve connectivity. The council said it has invested £12.95m from its own budget alongside £16.4m from central government to improve internet access for residents.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Keith Mans, said: ‘We want as many residents and businesses as possible to benefit from superfast broadband and continue to work hard to secure coverage for harder to reach rural locations.

‘We encourage those living in areas beyond our current programme to apply to the government’s Rural Gigabit Connectivity Voucher Scheme to install gigabit-capable broadband.’