SOUTH Dorset Richard Drax has hailed the news that new, superfast broadband will be coming to Swanage in 2014.

He said: “This is excellent news.

“It will connect Swanage to the wider world in a way that has simply not been possible before.

“I am delighted that BT has seen fit to make this investment, particularly during these tough economic times.

“Anything that makes our businesses more competitive in this interconnected world must be welcomed. “ The broadband roll out uses two new technologies; fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) and fibre to the premises (FTTP).

Both offer speeds many time faster than the current UK average, with upload speeds the fastest available to consumers in the UK.

In addition to the obvious commercial benefits, BT says families will be able to simultaneously download a film, surf the net, play a game online and watch a TV replay service.

Mr Drax said: “These developments are very important to a rural constituency like South Dorset.

“I welcome them and look forward to using the new broadband myself.”

BT says the upgrade to the Swanage network will be finished by the end of Spring 2014.