Posted on Thursday 23rd October 2025
Gigabit broadband coverage in Staffordshire now stands at 86 per cent of county properties – six months ahead of target – with digital connectivity a county council priority, a new report states.
It shows another year of significant progress in the drive to deliver high quality digital infrastructure, ensuring that residents, businesses, and communities across the county are better connected.
The latest annual digital infrastructure update by Staffordshire County Council reveals that more than 372,800 premises across the county now enjoy access to gigabit-capable broadband – a huge increase from just 4,000 in 2018. This achievement means Staffordshire reached its 86 per cent gigabit coverage milestone in the summer, six months ahead of schedule, positioning the county as a national leader in digital transformation.
This compares favourably with other Midlands county authorities such as Shropshire (77 per cent) and Cheshire East (85 per cent). Staffordshire also now has 78 per cent full fibre coverage.
The work is backed by government investment totalling nearly £47 million through Project Gigabit, which targets some of the hardest-to-reach communities and ensuring that rural and isolated areas are not left behind.
Staffordshire County Council’s digital infrastructure team has worked closely with local communities, commercial partners and the government to deliver full fibre networks, support voucher-funded projects which have now concluded, and champion digital inclusion. Over 2,500 households and businesses have benefited from community-led connectivity initiatives, while 29 communities have received targeted support and investment.
In addition, Staffordshire’s mobile network coverage continues to improve, with innovative data collection and close partnerships with major providers helping to identify and address mobile not-spots, particularly in rural areas.
The county council is also using digital innovation to support socially isolated residents mainly in rural areas and older people, piloting virtual reality and managed digital assistance projects. This will support them to lead happy and independent lives for as long as possible. A bid to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund has been made which could extend the pilot.
As it works towards full gigabit coverage in Staffordshire, the county council will continue to promote digital skills, support the take-up of new technologies and work with its partners to maximise the economic and social benefits of digital transformation.
Andrew Mynors, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for connectivity, said:
Digital infrastructure is now essential to people’s day-to-day living. It underpins everything from business growth and job creation to education, tackling social inclusion and supporting independent living. Our work ensures that every community in Staffordshire—urban or rural—can access the opportunities that fast, reliable connectivity brings. We are committed as a county council to making Staffordshire a truly connected county, supporting residents and businesses to thrive by maximising opportunities created by digital innovation.”
Latest broadband coverage information can be found at: www.thinkbroadband.com
The digital infrastructure update was discussed by members of the county council’s economy, infrastructure and communities overview and scrutiny committee at their meeting today.