High-speed broadband comes to Kilmarnock

Dec 21 2012 by Colin Rutherford, Kilmarnock Standard

High-speed fibre broadband will be available to over 21,000 homes and businesses in Kilmarnock within weeks.

BT engineers are in the final stages of completing the town’s connections, while Darvel and Stewarton are also due to be upgraded.

By the end of next year more than 30,800 households and firms across East Ayrshire and 96,800 Ayrshire-wide will have access, as part of BT’s £2.5 billion fibre roll-out programme.

MSP Willie Coffey and MP Cathy Jamieson visited BT’s Kilmarnock exchange to see for themselves how the technology is delivered.

Said Ms Jamieson: “This is a significant step for Kilmarnock. High-speed digital connectivity is a defining factor in our long-term success.

“At a time when our local economy needs a much-needed boost, important developments such as BT’s investment in super-fast broadband offer us the potential to create new opportunities, services and growth.”

Mr Coffey said: “This is fantastic news for businesses, community organisations and families in the Kilmarnock area.

“Fibre broadband is a great contribution to Kilmarnock’s economic growth.”

BT Scotland director Brendan Dick said that recent research suggested that, within 15 years, fibre broadband could boost the economy of a typical town by £143 million and create 225 new jobs, 140 new start-up businesses and 1000 more homeworkers.

He said: “The arrival of fibre in Kilmarnock can really help local firms in these economically challenging times, opening up new ways of working and speeding up vital operations, such as file and data transfers, conferencing and computer back-up, all of which may also help cut costs.”

High-speed broadband will cover 21,300 homes and businesses in Kilmarnock.