Bill Murphy said BT was ready to make significant further investment in the city and called on businesses and the public sector to form broadband partnerships to improve business efficiency and the private and working lives of residents and businesses.
Mr Murphy, managing director – next generation access at BT, was speaking at a forum discussing the future of broadband provision.
The forum, organised by Milton Keynes Council, agreed that a critical next step was to promote awareness of the borough’s significant advantages over other areas in terms of available broadband infrastructure and to encourage greater take-up and further investment in broadband technology.
BT, working with Milton Keynes Council, has already installed high-speed broadband up to 40 Mbps across most of the urban area through Fibre to the Cabinet technology. It has also begun trials of Fibre to the Premises broadband, providing speeds of up to 100 Mbps, to the 11,000 premises covered by the New Bradwell Exchange.
Mr Murphy said: “We are a major investor and employer in the Milton Keynes area. BT is very willing to make a further major investment if we can work with the public sector to create the right environment.
"We have already made super-fast broadband available to thousands of homes and businesses in Milton Keynes but the full benefits will only be realised if the public and private sectors work together.”
The forum was attended by representatives from business, the council, BT, the Milton Keynes Broadband Action Group, the University Centre MK, and Age UK.
Cllr David Hopkins (pictured), cabinet member responsible for IT services, said: “We have the ambition and vision to make Milton Keynes a truly ‘Smart City’ with world-class communications, scaleable infrastructure and technology, all of which will underpin strong economic growth, healthy lifestyles and inclusion for all parts of our community.”
Tough economic times required a new approach, he added.
“All organisations need to look at how to deliver services differently and more efficiently – combining activities, pooling budgets, and making the most of the commercial, environmental and social benefits that the use of technology can bring.”
