WORK to bring high-speed internet to businesses in Kempley could also benefit residents in future.

Installation is underway to provide businesses in the village with download speeds of 20 to 30Mbps and upload speeds of 5-15 Mbps.

Eleven small local businesses and charities are working with Airband, a Worcestershire based company to bring microwave broadband to Kempley.

Initially only businesses will benefit from the high-speed internet but a spokesperson for the company said there could be a possibility for residential use further down the line.

He added: “We are currently looking at the best way to get our transmission to the village. Engineers are looking at what would work best.

“We concentrate on getting fast broadband to areas which the big companies deem to difficult. We don’t need to dig up roads, all we need is line of sight from one of our transmitters.

“The scheme is currently solely for businesses, however once the infrastructure is in place there may be a possibility to bring broadband for residents.”

The Kempley Broadband Campaign succeeded in its bid to extend the Broadband UK voucher scheme to small and medium sized businesses community groups and charities in the Kempley area with support from the Forest of Dean District Council and Gloucester City Council.

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