The West Midlands looks set to receive blanket broadband coverage from next summer following a dealwith broadband outfit Avanti.

The West Midlands Networking Company (WMNC) - which is working on behalf of the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands - is paying Avanti £358,000 to install its wireless broadband network in rural areas that are not served by broadband-enabled telephone exchanges.

Two months ago WMNC signed a deal with BT to bring ADSL services to 45 areas in the Midlands and the South West of England. Despite this major investment there were still some rural areas that would not be covered by this injection of public sector funds.

The deal with Avanti is designed to fill the gaps left from the BT deal. ®

Related stories

• BT secures Welsh broadband deal (15 March 2006)
• Yorkshire boasts blanket broadband (5 January 2006)
• The Cloud targets UK with city centre Wi-Fi hotspots (3 January 2006)
• 2005 in review UK poised for broadband choice (27 December 2005)
• Ireland gagging for affordable broadband (24 November 2005)
• BT wins contract for rural broadband (2 November 2005)
• BT looks to light up broadband black spots (12 September 2005)
• All of Scotland to get broadband (25 April 2005)
• NI heralds 100% broadband coverage (25 February 2005)
• Two regional broadband bodies fold (2 December 2004)
• Campaigners triumph in BT favouritism row (12 March 2004)
• Wiltshire chucks £7m at broadband (27 February 2004)