Schools, libraries and recycling centres in rural Leicestershire are set to benefit from lightning-fast broadband.

“Gigahubs” were installed to 43 public services Access to gigabit broadband – the fastest available – in areas including Lutterworth, Market Bosworth and Old Dalby.

Leicestershire County Council said the “groundbreaking” £1.5 million programme aims to offer pupils “cutting-edge digital resources” and enable libraries to offer more activities.

Leicestershire was one of seven counties in the country are to receive Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps (megabits per second) as part of a £5 billion government project.

Project Gigabit, which is also being rolled out in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, aims to bring higher speeds to hard-to-reach communities, according to the government.

The average internet speed in the UK is around 73 Mbps.

The government announced that 85 percent of the population should have access to gigabit broadband by 2025 and that the entire country could benefit from the same speeds by 2030.

Leicestershire County Council said the local programme, completed in March, would be fully implemented within the next few months.

The thirty benefiting schools include Old Dalby Primary School, Somerby Primary School, Sheepy Magna Primary School and Long Clawson Primary School.

In addition, connection speeds will be increased in seven libraries in Desford, Fleckney, Lutterworth, Market Bosworth, Sapcote, Sileby and Stoney Stanton.

This service has also been set up at recycling and household waste sites in Kibworth, Lutterworth and Market Harborough, as well as at Croft County Council offices.

Councillor Pam Posnett, the council’s cabinet member for broadband, said access to gigabit-capable broadband was “essential”.

“This is a real honour for us and great news for our rural areas,” she said.

“I’m pleased that we are among the first counties to complete the buildout. This means more children can benefit from cutting-edge digital resources, new opportunities to bring communities together and commercial providers are encouraged to bring the fastest speeds to more places.”

Telecommunications Minister Chris Bryant added: “Our investment is more than just a technological improvement; it is a catalyst for change in Leicestershire.”

“By improving connectivity for schools, libraries and public services, we are transforming the way communities and individuals interact with the digital world.

“Students in Leicestershire’s most remote schools can now immerse themselves in interactive online learning experiences without having to deal with frustrating buffering.

“Libraries can now offer a wider range of digital resources and public services can operate more efficiently.”

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