Residents are being urged to vote for Torfaen in a bid to bring super fast broadband to the area by winning BT’s Race to Infinity.
Households and businesses across Wales will be able to demonstrate local demand for super-fast fibre broadband by taking part in a nationwide BT survey, ‘Race to Infinity’. The five winning areas will get high speed broadband by early 2012, at the latest.
The race – which runs until December 31 2010 at www.bt.com/racetoinfinity – will map demand for fibre broadband across the UK , helping BT identify “hot spots” where demand is high. The data will be used to influence the company’s future deployment plans.
The company is also pledging to engage with any community not winning the competition where at least 75 per cent of homes and businesses have voted for super-fast broadband. All possibilities of bringing fibre broadband to the area will be explored.
By taking part in the survey, communities will have the opportunity to make their voices heard as the company decides where else to deploy the technology.
Councillor Bob Wellington, leader of Torfaen council, said:
“Our vision of transforming Torfaen into Wales’s first silicon valley has the potential to transform the region’s economy and with invesment in our schools, IT training and infrastructure we are already ensuring our residents can benefit from the opportunities created. I would urge residents to sign up and vote for Torfaen, and let’s make sure we stay at the forefront of the new digital age.”
Participants can vote for fibre broadband on the ‘Race to Infinity’ website, which will show the number and percentage of votes received for each exchange. The site will display the top five exchanges leading the race as exchanges hit 1,000 votes.
The website also offers downloadable information packs, flyers and posters for people who want to become active super-fast broadband campaigners. The communities having the most success with campaigns could qualify for BT support with stickers, badges, a digital camera or money towards a local radio promotion.
