The investment will add very real value to the important and fast-growing Creative, Digital and IT [CDIT] sector and also roll out wireless provision across about one fifth of the city. About 23,600 jobs in the city are thought to rely on the industry, about 18% of the local economy; up from 11% just a few years ago. Despite this, Brighton & Hove was prevented from bidding for ultrafast broadband in the first round because it did not have more than 150,000 households.

After lobbying from a variety of agencies including the city’s three MPs and Wired Sussex, the Government made a further £50 million available to boost online capacity in smaller cities across the country.

Success is not guaranteed and 27 cities are competing for money from the fund. The winning cities will be announced in the Autumn Statement later this year.

Wired Sussex MD Phil Jones said, “The digital sector in Brighton is growing faster than the infrastructure needed to support it. Investment in ultrafast broadband is vital to take Brighton to the next level, to enable the sector to fulfil its ambitions. ”

Click here to download bid for ultra-fast broadband