RURAL parts of Dorset could see faster broadband speeds sooner rather than later after a new government fund was announced.

The coalition has opened up the £20 million rural community broadband fund, which offers cash for help in getting small-scale projects to bring fast internet to rural homes and businesses.

Luke Williams, a social media consultant who runs his own company, SocialTech, is a member of the Dorset Digital Task Force group, set up by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry to lobby for faster broadband.

He said: “Anything that improves broadband, particularly in rural areas, is going to be a good thing. People’s general awareness of the issues is growing, which is good.”

Mr Williams said it was about making the benefits of fast internet clear to people – for example, showing them that they could have a video call with a relative in Australia for free.

He added: “We welcome any money that goes to help this kind of thing.

“As a task force we’re looking to how we can help these communities.

“We felt there was a need to improve broadband speeds across the area.”

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “This new fund will enable some of the most remote communities in England to bring broadband to their homes and businesses.

“Remote and rural areas have the most to gain from access to broadband but these are the communities currently missing out.

“The whole of the UK should be able to share in the benefits of broadband and we are determined to make this happen by the end of the Parliament.”