THE row over plans to roll-out superfast broadband across the borough continues to rumble on with many arguing the council should continue to push for a fibre-optic option.

Last week, the cabinet agreed to move forward with a deal with UKB Network to expand the 4G LTE network to almost every home.

The £1.9 million deal would see 16 aerials put up around the town and then a signal would be sent into each household which had signed up.

While many of the rural communities are supportive of the plans, many living in urban areas without superfast broadband, such as Priory Vale, have said it is not the best solution.

Now the MP for North Swindon Justin Tomlinson has said the council should continue talks with BT to try to make it the key provider.

The Labour Party has also put forward a motion at this week’s council meeting asking the council to halt the plans.

It has been claimed that BT has said it has no intentions of installing fibre optic because of a lack of demand - something BT disputes.

Mr Tomlinson said: “It’s welcome news that Swindon Council is pushing for full coverage as this is vital for local business and residents.

“However, I believe it needs to continue to sit with BT, who I accept is not always the most pro-active and helpful.

“But it does have the edge in fibre technology which is the most reliable long-term solution.”

In the final full council meeting before the General Election, Labour will ask for the process to be halted and BT contacted instead.

Labour group leader Jim Grant (Lab, Rodbourne Cheney) said: “The Conservative Cabinet is embarking on a big mistake to not do what other local authorities have done and agree that fibre broadband be part of the superfast broadband rollout.

“The cabinet has failed to learn from the mistakes made in the past where an alternative broadband provider to BT has been contracted to roll out broadband infrastructure and then residents get left with no choice over their internet provider is ultimately leading to higher cost internet.

“When dealing with this matter, the council needs to think about what is best for the residents who will have the broadband.”

Council chiefs have said this is the best option for 99.4 per cent of the town to receive broadband coverage.

A spokesperson for BT said: “We believe that our proven technology, open access network with a wide choice of service providers, and capability to deliver large projects offer many unique benefits to local authorities. 

“Thousands of homes and business premises in the area already have access to fibre broadband over the Openreach network and this access could be extended even more widely via the BDUK framework.”

“We understand however that Swindon Borough Council has opted for a different solution and wish them well and look forward to working with them on future opportunities.”