Last Friday, the community of Butler’s Cross and Ellesborough saw the first green roadside cabinet go live in their area as part of the Connected Counties high speed fibre broadband programme. The roadside cabinet is one of more than 180 due to be upgraded to fibre broadband in Buckinghamshire in the next couple of years under the Connected Counties initiative, which will serve 38,500 homes and businesses, not due for connection by commercial providers.

Present at the official ribbon cutting ceremony were Buckinghamshire Business First’s (BBF) Broadband Manager Chris Rawson and Head of Economic Research Rupert Waters, along with Guy Lachlan, Board Member of both BBF and Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP). Guy had this to say on superfast broadband: “We lead the country with the number of small businesses in Buckinghamshire and it's important to provide the right technology to help them stay ahead of the game. This is another fantastic step forward in giving them the superfast broadband they need to be out at the front.”

Buckinghamshire County Council Leader Martin Tett, who has led the campaign for superfast broadband as a means of developing strong businesses across the county, said: “In the 21st century access to high quality, high speed broadband is essential for companies. We're determined that in Buckinghamshire we'll make this available, so that we're in the forefront for all our businesses.”

One business leader delighted at the speed boost is Myles Hick, Director of international security company, Avtel, based in Butler’s Cross. “Currently we like to communicate with our customers via video conferencing. However, I often have to travel to the customer to undertake these meetings because my broadband is too slow,’ Myles said. “Fibre broadband will really open up our ability to truly connect with our staff and customers, reduce the need for travel and cut the CO₂ emissions of the business.”

The £18.06 million Connected Counties high speed fibre broadband programme for Buckinghamshire started last June. It was then that Buckinghamshire County Council, Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP), neighbouring Hertfordshire and its LEP, and the Government's Broadband Delivery UK, signed a contract with BT to provide fibre broadband to these areas.

Butler's Cross signals the start of Phase One of the delivery plan, which aims to upgrade more than 30 roadside cabinets in Buckinghamshire - many in rural areas.

Bill Murphy, BT’s managing director of next generation access, said: “This is great news for Buckinghamshire. Fibre broadband opens new horizons and helps us to be more efficient, keeping us in touch with vital services. Fast broadband provides strong and reliable connections to the rest of the world. Local businesses have the opportunity to grow, attracting investment and boosting the local economy.”

For more information about the initiative visit Connected Counties.