ALMOST every property in Swindon could have access to superfast broadband by the end of next year council chiefs have announced.

They are set to agree a deal with UKB Networks which would see coverage increase from its current level of 80 per cent to 99.4 per cent.

Large parts of North Swindon, as well as a number of outlying villages, currently do not have high speed broadband, which would give access to speeds of at least 24 megabytes per second.

Following a tender process, it is being proposed that UKB Network, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based HKT, extends its 4G-LTE network, which is in parts of the town already, across the whole borough.

It will mean rather than laying cables across the town, around 16 masts will be erected which will transmit a signal to houses. Residents will be able to have a receiver attached to their house, free of charge, to pick up the Internet, sometimes at more than 50Mbps

Last summer, the council agreed to put up £1.5 million, which was subsequently matched by the government’s Broadband Delivery UK programme, meaning a pot of £3million was available.

However, because cables will not have to be laid, less than £2million will be spent on the project meaning funds will be available to explore ways on ensuring the remaining 0.6 per have superfast broadband, although the government half of what remains will be returned.

Councillor Garry Perkins (Con, Haydon Wick), the cabinet member for the economy, said: “There are some parts of the borough, such as Priory Vale, which do not have superfast broadband so this will change that.

“It has now just become a part of everyday life with so many people working from home. This is not just about children being able to play computer games but ensuring the whole of the borough can prosper.

“This deal will mean not all of the money will be used while it will also give us a greater coverage than we were expecting.”

Coun Perkins also insists this very different to the ill-fated attempt to roll out wi-fi several years ago, which saw the council lose £400,000.

He said: “If you separate this away from everything else then this is very good for Swindon. Not only have UKB had to go through our vetting process but also that of BDUKs.

“They are also going to be paid for results so will not get money until they start delivering.”

The proposal is set to go before the cabinet next week and if it then goes before scrutiny the deal will be signed by the end of month, with the introduction set to start in the summer.