TELECOMMUNICATIONS giant BT has announced it is creating 1,000 new engineering jobs.

The move is part of a £2.5billion investment in fibre broadband technology which is believed to be the fastest roll-out in the world.

The company, which is one of Suffolk’s largest employers at its global innovation and development centre at Adastral Park, said 400 new apprentices would be employed as part of the recruitment drive.

Yesterday Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the news and said fast broadband was vital for driving investment.

The new recruits will join the 1,500 engineers employed over the last year to install fibre broadband in customers’ homes.

BT says its fibre network is already the largest in the UK, passing more than 13m premises, and the technology is being made available to an additional 100,000 homes and businesses every week.

Mr Cameron said yesterday: “I warmly welcome the announcement from BT today.

“Working with business, the Government is driving a transformation in UK broadband services and with an extra 100,000 homes and businesses gaining superfast broadband availability each week, this is already taking shape.

“Providing much faster broadband speeds, and enabling millions more homes and businesses to enjoy these speeds is vital for driving investment and equipping the UK to compete and thrive in the global race.”

The business will fill the 1,000 posts with a mix of apprentices, 200 Armed Forces personnel and other candidates, including some long-term unemployed.

BT chief executive Ian Livingston added: “BT’s investment, together with the Government’s BDUK programme, will cement the UK’s position as one of the leading broadband nations in Europe. We remain highly confident that fibre can be provided to more than 90% of UK homes and businesses, making the UK a global digital leader.

“Faster broadband will help to fuel the UK economy and the jobs we are creating are part of that. Almost half of the jobs will be offered under our popular apprenticeship scheme giving young people the chance to earn a recognised qualification and pursue a career as a skilled telecoms engineer.”

The EADT has been campaigning for Better Broadband for Suffolk.