Many areas of Gateshead have access to superfast broadband internet and a wide variety of digital services. However, some areas still suffer from slow speeds that limit residents to only the most basic of internet tasks.
The Better Broadband in Gateshead Project aims to make sure that all homes and businesses in Gateshead can get access to faster broadband. Superfast internet access will help improve the lives of Gateshead residents and boost our local economy.
Working in partnership with our neighbours, Durham County Council, we have secured funding from Broadband Delivery UK (part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport) to ensure that at least 90% of premises can obtain superfast broadband, with the remainder receiving speeds of at least 2Mbps.
The funding will be used to improve and upgrade the network infrastructure in those areas that currently suffer from slow speeds. A contract to carry out this work was awarded to BT in April 2013 and the planning and surveying work has now started. Please check this page regularly for updates.
For further information on the project or to send us your comments please contact us at
E-mail BroadbandDevelopment@gateshead.gov.uk| or Telephone 0191 433 2500
Current usage
You told us how you use the internet and how satisfied you are. This information helps us make a strong case for investment and clearly shows that many people are not satisfied with the speed of their current internet connection.
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65% do not think their broadband speed is fast enough
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75% have broadband speeds of less than 10mbps* with almost 20% of those having speeds of 4mbps or less
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21% have speeds of 11mbps or more with 7% between 21 – 50mbps and 1% with 50mbps or more
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4% of respondents have broadband speeds of under 1mbps
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The average cost of broadband, excluding other packaged services is £16.65
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Average respondents would be willing to pay approximately £17.70 for an improved broadband service, which is an additional £1.05
*mbps (megabits per second)