SUPERFAST broadband is on the way for 95 per cent of Hampshire, according to council bosses.

Hampshire County Council leader, Cllr Roy Perry, has agreed the release of up to £9.2 million to extend the Hampshire Superfast Broadband Programme so that 95 per cent of premises have access to it. That would represent an increase of more than 27,000 locations.

Cllr Perry said: “Access to superfast broadband plays an important role in Hampshire’s economic growth and performance. This is why we are working with the Government to deliver a programme to boost coverage of superfast broadband to rural areas that would otherwise be left out by commercial providers. It will mean that 90 per cent of premises can access faster reliable broadband by the end of 2015 and we are working on extending this to at least 95 per cent by the end of 2017.”

He added: “It will fill the gap in smaller, rural areas that would otherwise be left out.”