SHROPSHIRE is set to receive its share of a £5 billion broadband upgrade next summer as part of a new government scheme.

As many as 510,000 homes and businesses across the UK long plagued by sluggish broadband will be front of the queue, as part of the Government's Project Gigabit scheme.

Plans for Shropshire are set to follow in June, partly covering a further 640,000 premises.

One gigabit is the equivalent of 1,000 megabits, capable of downloading a high definition film in under a minute.

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It comes after the government had to row back on its election pledge of providing the UK with full-fibre broadband by 2025, instead aiming for at least 85 per cent.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Project Gigabit is the rocket boost that we need to get lightning-fast broadband to all areas of the country.

"This broadband revolution will fire up people's businesses and homes, and the vital public services that we all rely on, so we can continue to level up and build back better from this pandemic."

In addition, £210 million worth of vouchers will be available once again from April 8, allowing eligible residents to ask for up help of to £1,500 and businesses £3,500 towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband.

Some £110 million has been set aside to support GP surgeries, libraries and schools, while the government also explores how satellite and 5G technology could be used to connect very hard to reach spots, starting with a call for evidence.

The development comes after regulator Ofcom announced that it will not impose price caps on full-fibre connections provided by firms, as part of new rules.

Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden added: "Project Gigabit is our national mission to plug in and power up every corner of the UK and get us gigafit for the future."