The Digital Derbyshire campaign to bring the biggest ever upgrade of broadband speeds in the county needs the help of residents and businesses as it gathers pace. 

Over 6,500 people helped Derbyshire County Council secure £7.39m from the Government's Broadband Delivery UK scheme by completing a survey following the launch of its Digital Derbyshire campaign.

The county council has committed over £1m to Digital Derbyshire and has underwritten the remaining match funding to ensure at least £14.78m will be spent across the county on broadband improvements by 2015.

Over the next three years Digital Derbyshire aims to make superfast broadband (up to 30mbs) accessible to 90% of Derbyshire premises, with a minimum of 2mbs available to the remaining 10%.

Digital Derbyshire needs to attract a private sector partner to invest in and deliver its ambitious programme.

To maximise the chances of doing this Digital Derbyshire must demonstrate a demand for better broadband − both from households and businesses.

People can show their support for the Digital Derbyshire campaign by completing a short on-line form atwww.derbyshire.gov.uk/digitalderbyshire (opens in a new window)

Councillor Kevin Parkinson, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: "We know there is a real hunger for better broadband in Derbyshire and have made it one of our priorities to deliver it.

"We're grateful to the thousands of people who have already helped us make great strides towards delivering the biggest ever transformation of broadband in Derbyshire by supporting our Digital Derbyshire campaign."

Councillor Parkinson added: "Now we need their help, and that of as many others as possible, to help us attract a private sector partner.

"We'd urge people to fill the form in themselves and to help family and friends to do it too.

"The scenario is simple − the greater demand we can show for better broadband in Derbyshire, the more investment we will attract.

"It will only take residents and businesses a couple of minutes to complete our on-line form, and it will have a huge impact on the future of broadband in Derbyshire."

Visitors to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/digitalderbyshire (opens in a new window) can also sign up to the new Digital Derbyshire newsletter which will bring regular updates on the programme's progress.

If you do not have internet access to complete the form you can visit any Derbyshire County Council library and use a computer for free.