THE broadband revolution is rolling out across North Yorkshire as a £12m investment in the Internet starts to bear fruit.

Part of the county council's operation in the west has now been connected and North-allerton and Richmond will be following suit in the next ten days or so.

Eventually, a rural broadband network will be set up across the county, initially to council offices and libraries.

But the network will later spread to schools, small and medium-sized businesses and, if capacity allows, even individuals.

The seven-year county council contract has been awarded to telecommunications provider MLL Telecom, which teamed up with Alcatel as its technology partner.

The project is designed to improve the user experience and efficiency of local public services, as well as make rural broadband affordable to many of the county's 25,000 small to medium-sized enterprises.

The county council sees broadband as crucial to the success of the North Yorkshire economy, public services and the drive to raise people's skills and knowledge.

It should also help local businesses to become more competitive, open up opportunities for online learning and deliver services more effectively.

"A countywide broadband network is an asset to be enjoyed and used by all members of the community," said the county's director of finance, John Moore.

"It provides the foundation for us to provide easier information exchange and joined up service delivery."

Godfrey Wilson, managing director of MLL Telecom, said: "It is important rural communities such as North Yorkshire reap the benefits of broadband access.

"Widespread access to information and communications technology is viewed as an essential enabler of economic growth, social inclusion, efficient public services and e-government."

Alcatel spokesman Andy Tempest said: "Broadband, when combined with dynamic leadership, is a sure way to improve public services, quality of life and business competitiveness."

* The county council will be making a special presentation on the project at their Digital Dales Broadband Day, to be held at the Dales Countryside Museum, in Hawes, on November 5.