RURAL parts of Basingstoke will be able to benefit from high-speed broadband after Hampshire County Council launched the next phase of its Superfast Broadband Programme.

Phase four of the multi-million project, which will see an additional 10,500 homes and businesses get access to high-speed broadband, will take place between October and March 2015.

As a result fibre broadband cabinets will be switched on in Woolton Hill, Highclere, Headley and Kingsclere as part of the latest phase of the scheme.

Hampshire’s Superfast Broadband programme, which is delivered by BT’s local network business – Openreach, is helping to fill the gap in rural areas beyond the private sector’s commercial plans. It aims to provide at least 95 per cent of all premises in Hampshire with access to superfast broadband by the end of 2017.

The county-wide rollout is a key part of Hampshire County Council’s long-term economic plan to secure Hampshire’s future by providing access to superfast broadband in areas that the private sector would not otherwise have reached.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Roy Perry, said: “The next phase of our Superfast Broadband Programme will see another 10,500 homes and businesses given the opportunity to switch over to faster internet speeds. We are now half-way through our programme and a total of approximately 59,000 homes will have been upgraded by the end of 2015 - in some of the most rural parts of Hampshire.

"Superfast broadband is increasingly important if local households and businesses are to make the most of the huge range of opportunities offered by the internet, whether they are seeking to start a new business, find new customers, undertake on-line training, complete homework or simply use it for leisure, and keeping in touch with family and friends.”

Peter Cowen, BT’s regional partnership director for the South East, said: “This is excellent news for Hampshire, and another important milestone for a partnership which is making real progress. This popular technology can help homes access leisure and entertainment choices at the click of a button, whilst businesses can grow and boost the local economy.”