connectivity: South Northants MP Andrea Leadsom is backing a community campaign to bring superfast broadband to isolated villages.
In 2003, the Abthorpe Broadband Association (ABbA) successfully campaigned for a broadband replacement for the dial-up connection. But now ABbA is determined to radically improve speeds and deliver the service more widely in the area.
Mrs Leadsom visited Eric Malcomson, ABbA chairman, to discuss the proposal for the Tove Valley Communities Superfast Broadband project. Mr Malcomson said of 450 properties surveyed, 250 hosted home businesses and now intends to apply to DEFRA’s Rural Communities Broadband Fund for 50 per cent of the cost.