A RURAL village near Redditch and Bromsgrove has become the latest community in Worcestershire to benefit from super-fast broadband.
For years residents of Bentley Pauncefoot have struggled with some of the worst internet speeds in the country with the highest speed at just 1 megabits per second.
The Covid pandemic has highlighted the problem as residents have been unable to participate in Zoom calls with loved ones, online family quizzes or streaming movies in HD or 4K.
However, thanks to Worcestershire County Council’s super-fast broadband project, Openreach has now installed ‘gold standards’ internet connectivity throughout the parish.
Councilor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, said: ‘Bentley Pauncefoot Parish Council has contacted the Superfast Worcestershire team to make much needed improvements to the parish’s internet connectivity.
“Openreach has now installed ‘gold standard’ internet connectivity throughout the parish.
“This means residents have access to the best and fastest internet connectivity available.
“Even the most remote properties can now enjoy up to 1Gbps internet service.”
Prior to the upgrade, some residents had no service and no mobile signal either, with their only option of purchasing satellite internet.
Roz Bewsher, chairman of Bentley Pauncefoot Parish Council, said he was proud the parish had improved broadband.
He said: “I think we have rewarded the trust Worcestershire County Council’s connectivity team and Openreach have placed in us with the high usage of the service.
“It has taken much longer than we would have liked, and a lot of effort from the parish council and residents willing to act as ‘candidate leaders’ throughout the parish, but I am extremely proud that we have achieved something so critical to our residents. »
