A ceremony was held in Sutton on Friday to celebrate the arrival of superfast broadband in East Cambridgeshire.

High speed fibre broadband being rolled out under the Connecting Cambridgeshire programme has already reached more than 11,000 homes and businesses in the district, which would not otherwise be able to get it.

Some 40 new green fibre cabinets went live across East Cambridgeshire in the first phase of the roll-out programme in June, with more to follow in forthcoming weeks and months.

Businesses in these areas can now upgrade to faster fibre broadband and also get help to make the most of the latest digital technology - wherever they are – through Connecting Cambridgeshire’s Destination Digital business support project.

Better internet speeds for businesses supports the work of East Cambridgeshire District Council’s economic development team, which is encouraging companies to set up, re-locate and expand in the district.

Welcoming the news, Councillor Tom Kerby, said: “We live in a competitive world where the smallest margins can make the difference between success and failure.

“This is why it is important we utilise all the tools at our disposal to help businesses succeed as we know the arrival of superfast broadband can be the catalyst for growth for many sectors of our economy.

Mark Read, chairman of Ely Chamber of Commerce and owner of the Three Pillars Business Park, Sutton, is delighted with the difference the faster speeds have made to his specialist supplies business Whizzle Ltd, which increasingly relies on online sales.

He said: “We have seen a fantastic uplift in speed from around 0.5 mbps to nearer 40 mbps. Previously staff working from home had to work in near isolation from the office and colleagues but now internet telephony and a fast remote access to our server is opening up opportunities to offer more flexible working without the previous drawbacks.

Small and medium sized businesses in East Cambridgeshire can get free business support and 40 per cent grants of up to £4,000 towards digital products and services. Find out more at www.destinationdigital.info

Residents can find out when they can get faster broadband on the ‘my area’ pages of the Connecting Cambridgeshire website at www.connectingcambridgeshire.co.uk