SUPERFAST broadband is on its way for 95 per cent of Hampshire by 2017.

The county council’s broadband programme is ahead of schedule, with the first community to be switched on in time for Christmas and £9.2 million allocated towards the scheme.

It is hoped some 90 per cent of premises will have access to faster broadband by the end of 2015.

Councillor Roy Perry said: “Hampshire’s programme will help fill the gap in smaller, rural areas that would otherwise be left out because the numbers of people who could potentially sign up are not commercially viable for providers.

“Without our investment, these communities most likely would be left behind, as the broadband service providers invest in more densely populated neighbourhoods where there are greater numbers of people to use their services.

“Providing broadband is not a county council responsibility but nevertheless we want to do what we can to assist residents who would otherwise be left out of the advantages it can bring.”

People can still sign up to the Hampshire campaign for faster broadband at http://www3.hants.gov.uk/broadband.htm. High levels of demand and uptake help the programme funding go further, increasing the number of locations the council is able to reach.