HOMES and businesses in Okehampton are among 58,000 in Devon that will be receiving high-speed fibre broadband, BT has announced.

The news has been welcomed by business leaders in the region, who hope it will bring a boost to businesses, internet users and the local economy.

Okehampton mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies described the announcement as 'absolutely fantastic news'.

'I think it will help to put Okehampton on the map and provide an extra incentive for businesses to set up shop in the town. Broadband is becoming increasingly important to businesses and this is a great thing to happen to Okehampton.'

Okehampton county, borough and town Cllr Christine Marsh said: 'Devon County Council have worked very hard in partnership to bring high-speed broadband to Okehampton, and I am thrilled to bits.

'Hopefully, it is something that will help businesses here and gives them a boost during what is a difficult time.

'I would also hope that it helps to attract new businesses to Okehampton, as geographically speaking, we are in the centre of Devon, with good road links, and also near to Exeter and Exeter Airport.

'It is really brilliant news for the town.'

Okehampton Chamber of Trade chairman Ian Bailey hopes the move will help bring new businesses to Okehampton, and support those already here: 'This is something that Devon County Council have been fighting for with BT to bring to the county for a few years, and it is fantastic to have a date and see their commitment to bringing high-speed broadband to the area.

'In a rural community like ours, it is very important now to have high-speed broadband, and be able to communicate with the rest of the world, conduct business online and improve business opportunities. It is really great news for the area.'

Ben Rhodes, chief executive of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, said: 'Everyone recognises the importance of super-fast broadband, not just for its contribution to the local economy and potential to create new businesses and jobs, but for every aspect of modern life.

'In the current economic climate, such an investment is to be greatly welcomed. But longer-term it's also essential that people and organisations take up this exciting technology and make the most of the new network.'

Jon Reynolds, BT's South West regional director, said: 'Fibre broadband opens up a whole new, high speed world. This latest major investment will help the South West to overcome the current economic challenges and take full advantage of the upturn when it comes.

'Research suggests fibre broadband could give a £143-million boost to a typical town's economy and create 225 new jobs and 140 new businesses within 15 years.'

BT's local network business Openreach is making fibre broadband available to around two-thirds of UK homes and businesses on a commercial basis by the end of 2014, using a mixture of technologies.

The latest investment will take the total number of homes and businesses in the South West able to connect to the fibre network to more than 1.5 million.

For domestic internet users the differences will be noticeable, with a family able to download a film, watch a TV replay service, browse the internet and play video games online simultaneously with no slow-down.

The upload speeds are the fastest widely available to consumers in the UK, with large video and data files being sent almost instantly and high ­resolution photos posted online in seconds.

High quality voice and video calls mean businesses can keep in touch with customers while they cut down on travel.

Okehampton is one of 24 South West communities to receive the upgrade in 2013. The others include Torquay, Barnstaple and Tavistock. Across the region, 129,000 homes and businesses will get faster broadband.

For further information on Openreach's fibre broadband programme visit http://www.superfast-openreach.co.uk">www.superfast-openreach.co.uk