HIGH-SPEED broadband is set for Sandown.
BT has announced it will roll out high-speed fibre broadband to around 5,000 homes and businesses in the town next year, taking its total on the Isle of Wight to around 40,000.
It will be part of a £2.5 million investment across the country, which BT said would help create new businesses and hundreds of jobs.
Isle of Wight Council leader, Cllr David Pugh, welcomed the news.
He said: "This is excellent news for many more people in and around Sandown.
"They are the latest on the Island who will soon have access to the next generation of internet services.
"Reliable, fast connections can make all the difference to education and business and give people much greater scope for interaction with the world around them.
"In a tough economic climate, this investment from BT will help make the Isle of Wight an even better place to live, work and do business."
John Weaver, a BT regional director, said: "The arrival of fibre broadband in Sandown is a massive shot in the arm for its economy.
"The benefits are major and wide ranging. As our new fibre network expands across the south east it brings new potential for offering essential public services online and cost savings across the sectors."
Reporter: mattw@iwcpmail.co.uk