“People in Somerset and Devon are being asked which areas have the biggest need for broadband, ahead of the process to appoint a new contractor.
In September Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) terminated its contract with Gigaclear as it significantly fell behind schedule.
CDS wants to establish which areas lack infrastructure and where the private sector has no future plans to invest.
A replacement contractor is likely to be in place by next November. ‘Biggest impact’ CDS is a partnership between Devon and Somerset county councils to deliver broadband to rural areas.
Responses to the consultation will help inform how the contract is shaped.
The procurement process is due to begin next month.
Devon County Council’s cabinet member, and CDS board member, Conservative, Rufus Gilbert said the consultation would help them set out the proposed areas and where to focus efforts.
Somerset County Council has added that it wanted to ensure the public funding as the biggest impact in increasing coverage.
Consultation here:
East Devon Watch 