A recent survey from bOnline has shown that many SMEs are unsure about the availability of altnet in their area, with confusion over the UK’s broadband roll-out strategy.
More than 16,500 homes and businesses in Blyth can access fibre following a £4.9m investment from Openreach.
The operator recently shared plans to invest in fibre broadband for most premises in dozens of towns and villages across Northumberland.
Robert Thorburn, Openreach’s Partnership Director for Scotland and the north east, said: “Research shows that this new network will give businesses an edge and provide families and home-workers with future-proof connectivity, no matter what life throws at us next.
Cllr Richard Wearmouth, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council and portfolio holder for corporate services, added: "Good connectivity is vital to our modern lives and can open up a whole host of benefits and opportunities for work and leisure purposes alike.”
A report by the Centre for Economics & Business Research shows that connecting everyone in the north east to Full Fibre broadband would create a £1.7bn boost to the local economy.