SWINDON Borough Council is pushing ahead with plans to roll-out superfast broadband - despite the Labour group calling for a fibre-optic internet option.

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

And the plan was ratified during the full council meeting on Thursday evening.

The £1.9m deal, which sees 99.4 per cent of Swindon receive superfast broadband, will lead to 16 aerials put up around the town and a signal being sent to each household which has signed up.

Councillor Bob Wright, (Lab, central), submitted a motion to the council to seek alternative service methods with fibre-optic being suggested.

This was dismissed with the Conservative group submitting an amendment recommending the council presses ahead with the UKB deal. This was approved by the council.

Councillor Oliver Donachie, (Con, Haydon Wick), said: “I genuinely think that the social and economic benefits of this scheme are there for all to see.”

It is thought that the deal will provide a boost to rural areas with the amendment calling on the council to monitor the market and see whether a fibre-optic solution, which will benefit urban communities, comes available in the future.