EVERYONE in Fenland is being urged to back a campaign aimed at bringing faster and more reliable Internet services to Cambridgeshire.

Residents, businesses and community groups in every part of the district are being encouraged to register their support for the introduction of superfast broadband across virtually the whole county.

Their backing is needed to demonstrate the strength of local demand, which is a key factor in determining whether the service is installed in a particular area.

The Connecting Cambridgeshire campaign is being actively supported by Fenland District Council.

Councillor Chris Seaton, FDC’s portfolio holder responsible for economic development, said: “Greatly improved Internet access is essential for the future prosperity and wellbeing of Fenland.

“The higher the level of demand that your community can demonstrate, the greater the likelihood that it will receive superfast broadband.

“Cambridgeshire is mostly a rural county, which means that many communities have comparatively poor access to services and information and this is particularly true of Fenland. That needs to change.”

The Connecting Cambridgeshire campaign is seeking to secure superfast broadband access for 90 per cent of all premises in the county by 2015.

Improved Internet provision will give people living in rural communities greater access to skills training and encourage economic development. Small businesses, in particular, stand to gain from its introduction.

It will also go a long way towards improving the quality of life generally. Potential benefits include:

• More access to e-learning, Internet shopping and home entertainment,

• Increased job opportunities,

• More opportunities for home working,

• The development of “telehealth” technology, providing better care of patients in their own homes, and

• A significant cut in carbon emissions as a result of reduced car use.

To register your demand for superfast broadband online, visit www.connectingcambridgeshire.co.uk. Alternatively, pick up a leaflet from your nearest Fenland @ your service shop.