BT is working hard to bring superfast broadband to Worcestershire and Herefordshire, its new regional director has promised.

Colin Bannon, BT’s new director for the West Midlands, said that maximising the benefits of superfast broadband and other technologies is key to driving the future economic growth and success of the area.

His key aims include making faster fibre broadband as widely available as possible - through BT’s own commercial investment and its partnerships with the public sector – and encouraging and helping businesses and communities to flourish through better use of technology.

Mr Bannon said: "Technology is developing at such a pace it’s important that no one gets left behind. Faster fibre broadband is a vital tool in helping companies to become more competitive and efficient, as well as saving them time and money. At home, the internet is also touching our lives in new and exciting ways. People can use fibre broadband to access on-line services and share information faster than ever before, as well as download music and films more quickly.

“Alongside BT’s commercial roll-out – which will enable more than 1.7 million of the region’s homes and businesses to access faster fibre broadband – the company is also an investing partner in seven public-private sector partnerships across the West Midlands, which are working hard to bring faster fibre broadband to parts of the region where the technical and economic challenges are greater.”

These partnerships are part of the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK programme and will bring an additional 400,000 premises within reach of high-speed broadband in parts of Worcestershire, Herefordshire, the Black Country, Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Telford and Wrekin.

Mr Bannon added: "We have made excellent progress, but there is still more to do to ensure everyone in the region – whether it’s small businesses, homeworkers, families and other residents – is seizing the benefits of the new technology.”