Some of the most isolated properties in Suffolk could get superfast broadband by satellite under a new government scheme.

The county is one of several areas in the country to benefit from the scheme – which could help an estimated 300,000 properties across the UK.

The current rollout of superfast broadband is on track to deliver coverage to 95% of the UK by 2017, but the government wants to help those with the slowest connections by providing an immediate boost to their available speeds.

Digital economy minister Ed Vaizey said: “This scheme offers immediate assistance to those homes and businesses in Suffolk with the slowest speeds and is all part of our transformation of the UK’s digital landscape.”

Users will be responsible for paying any remaining cost of installation and commissioning, choosing the features of the satellite broadband service they require, and for paying the monthly subscription for the service they selected.

Suffolk County Council leader Colin Noble said: “We have long supported the Government’s commitment to make sure every home and business can access speeds of at least 2Mbps by the end of 2015, and we are pleased to be making the scheme available to eligible homes and business across Suffolk from today.”

The county has also seen the start of work on the second phase of the Better Broadband for Suffolk programme to extend the number of properties linked in to the technology.

It has now published details of when the technology will be installed running through to September next year. Full details cand be found at www.betterbroadbandsuffolk.com