Every single school in Leeds will soon get superfast fibre broadband after a £20.3 million deal was signed off for the huge upgrade.
Leeds City Council has committed to spending the eight-figure sum on the rollout for more reliable broadband, which will be completed in the coming years.
All 285 schools in the city will benefit from the BT full fibre connectivity scheme, which will also see 293 council-owned buildings and 156 NHS buildings linked up.
People living in council houses will be able to take advantage of much faster internet speeds too.
The Leeds Full Fibre Programme will make Leeds the largest gigabit and '5G capable' city outside of London.
The technology will be installed at hundreds of addresses across Leeds by Openreach engineers.
BT have also promised that 5G coverage will be available to 70 per cent of Leeds by 2023.
Cllr James Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for resources, said: "We're pleased to launch this programme, which will mean faster, more reliable broadband for the NHS and schools in Leeds as well as the vast majority of our council houses and private residents.
"Rolling out full fibre in Leeds will mean quicker, more responsive public services for our residents and attracting more high quality jobs to the area as businesses are keen to invest in cities with 5G connectivity."
'Our world-class full fibre network will establish Leeds as one of the UK's digital leaders'
Sarah Walker, north of England director for BT’s Enterprise unit, said: "Our world-class full fibre network will establish Leeds as one of the UK’s digital leaders, by bringing ultrafast broadband speeds to people and businesses across the city as well as underpinning the widespread roll out of 5G mobile services.
"We are pleased to be providing further support to local residents and businesses through a series of initiatives aimed at equipping those people most in need with the essential digital skills needed to get fit for the future.
"Digital technology is transforming every element of the way we live. In a world where everyday life and work increasingly depend on technology, digital skills can be the difference between getting ahead or being left behind."
