According to v3.co.uk, the deadline for councils to apply for rural broadband funding from a pot of GBP 20 million has been extended in a bid to provide authorities with more of a chance to submit bids. The deadline was previously 24th May but has now been extended to 17thJune, as a result of an influx of last minute applications, according to a spokesman from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
Around 50 applications have been approved for a final submission. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is calling for more councils to submit bids, given that they have an extra month to get around to it.
Environment minister Richard Benyon said: “Rural broadband is crucial to getting the economy moving and businesses growing. Funding is still available and I don’t want communities to miss out on this great opportunity. Superfast broadband is transforming the lives of rural businesses and communities by helping them tap into new markets, get better exposure and save time in their working day.”