SUPERFAST Dorset’s full fibre broadband has transformed the RNLI Lifeboat Station in Swanage, and now they are urging more businesses to check if they can get the broadband.

Swanage’s station is one of the best-connected in the country. Its download service is 20 times faster than previously, and its upload service is 50 times faster.

The station can now also download electronic chart updates quicker and hopes to add a live video camera feed so that people can check the weather before they go out to sea.

Dave Turnbull, station coxswain, said: “Until recently we had to put video hard drives in the post and now our volunteers can upload straight to the RNLI's central video library.

“The new fibre connection has reduced the time it takes dramatically. It's like the difference between light and dark.

“We are here to save lives at sea and if we can make some of the admin tasks our volunteers carry out quicker and easier that allows them more of their time to focus on lifesaving. We consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have a fibre to the premises service.”

More than 97 per cent of homes and businesses can now get superfast broadband. These faster, more reliable connections mean everyone can be online at the same time, have quicker downloads, TV and films on demand and video calling can operate without the annoying lag.

Matthew Galley, Partnership Director, Openreach said: “We’ve worked really hard with our partners at Dorset Council to bring better broadband to thousands of homes and businesses in the county.

“Recent research shows that connecting everyone in Dorset and the wider South West to full fibre broadband would create a £4.3 billion boost to the region’s economy by unlocking smarter ways of working, better public services and greater opportunities for the next generation of home-grown businesses.”

To check if fibre broadband is already available in your area or if you are in our plans visit https://mapping.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/superfast/Checker.