Broadband for Rural Devon
Many Businesses will have heard of Broadband. It’s a super-fast internet connection which can be up to 40 times faster than a standard modem connection. It’s always on - 24 hours a day, for a fixed monthly or annual charge
Broadband can enable businesses grow, reduce their costs, increase efficiency, open up their marketplace and improve communication between staff, suppliers and clients. It can be accessible through a mix of technologies - ADSL, Cable, Wireless and Satellite.
Many Businesses in the larger towns are able to receive broadband through their phone lines or cable. To date, Businesses and communities in rural areas have not been so fortunate.
Now, thanks to the funding from the European Union’s Objective 2 programme, South West Regional Development Agency and Partners, the launch of a ground-breaking initiative brings broadband technology to businesses in rural Devon with financial assistance to help them maximise on the benefits
Broadband4Devon has been launched as a result of a partnership between Devon County Council, The South West Regional Development Agency, Business link Devon and Cornwall, BT, ZyNet/Bluewire, The Devon & Cornwall Business Council, The Universities of Plymouth & Exeter and The Further Education Colleges of North Devon and Plymouth.
Through its technology partners, Broadband4Devon is seeking to achieve overall availability of broadband to Businesses in the Objective 2 area, namely, Plymouth, South Hams, West Devon, Torridge, North Devon, and parts of Mid Devon and Torbay. Very importantly, Broadband4Devon is offering a range of subsidies, advice and support to the Businesses.
Broadband4Devon can assist Businesses by offering:
• Assistance to make available Broadband connectivity up to 2 Mbps depending on requirements.
• An access subsidy including free installation and contribution towards your ongoing rental.
• A free security firewall (hardware or software).
• Technical support to ensure connectivity and that existing equipment operates correctly.
• Free, first class business support and advice from trained local independent, impartial ICT advisers.
• A business support subsidy of up to 40% off products and services to help the business move forward with eCommerce and ICT, consistent with the objectives of the broadband4devon project.
Broadband4Devon is committed to helping Businesses obtain and utilise broadband for the benefit of their Business. It is anticipated that most of the rural areas will be ‘enabled’ with wireless broadband. Not only is it able to give subsidies to assist Businesses but it is also seeking to work with action groups to build up the demand and then ‘broadband enable’ the area.
Not only does this project help the growth of our local businesses but it also brings substantial benefits to the area in enabling families, community groups and the disabled to have access to the internet with a broadband connection.
Broadband4Devon wish to contact Businesses seeking assistance and also action groups wishing to receive broadband in the area. We encourage you to contact Broadband4Devon for more information and to register your interest at www.broadband4devon.org.uk or call 0845 2702727
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