RESIDENTS in Oakley have celebrated securing superfast broadband.

A switch-on launch event, held at the Peter Houseman playing fields, in Oakley, showcased the new broadband service which is part of a nationwide initiative to improve broadband in rural parts of the country.

The first cabinet in Oakley was activated on December 18, by Hampshire County Council leader Councillor Roy Perry as part of Super Switch-on Day which saw superfast broadband cabinets around the country switched on simultaneously.

The switch-on gives access to fibre broadband for around 250 homes and businesses, with more than 1,900 other homes and businesses in Oakley set to get access to the high-speed technology in the months ahead.

The introduction of superfast broadband will benefit the local community, including Oakley Football Club, which depends on the internet to update its website and keep in contact with players.

The launch was part of Hampshire’s Superfast Broadband programme, helping to fill the gap in smaller rural areas that would otherwise be left out, meaning that 90 per cent of premises will have access to faster, reliable broadband by the end of 2015.

Superfast broadband at home means everyone in the family can do their own thing online, all at the same time, whether it’s downloading music in minutes or watching catch-up TV; streaming HD or 3D movies in the few minutes it takes to make popcorn; or posting photos and videos to social networking sites in seconds.

Speaking at the launch event, North West Hampshire MP Sir George Young said: “As a local MP, it is a pleasure to come along. Oakley Parish Council have been honoured to drive this forward. I hope the people of Oakley use this opportunity that has been made available.”

Local couple John and Shirley Hird, who live in Pack Lane, Oakley, spoke to The Gazette about the benefits of the scheme.

Mr Hird, 73 said: “It will cost me more money, but for the community and groups within our village, it will benefit them enormously. There are a lot of businesses in the village so it will help them out.”

Mrs Hird, 71, added: “It’s nice to think we are keeping up with the times and moving forward.”

Peter Cook, 74, who lives in Hunters Close, Oakley said: “I have been anxiously waiting for it. We have family in Canada and the Middle East and we Skype.”