Superfast broadband in Wiltshire

Wiltshire Assembly has asked us to feed into the work that Wiltshire Council is doing to develop Superfast broadband throughout Wiltshire. Some of you did share thoughts on how this might effect your own ways of working and possibly increase your reach and profitability which I have passed onto Peter Tyas, Head of Arts. Do please leave a comment if you have thoughts on this investent into Superfast broadband and any opportunities you think it may afford you, and do reply to the survey link below.

Thanks all

Wiltshire Council is spearheading a drive to bring superfast broadband to communities across the county.

The council is investing £16 million so more residents and businesses can have access to super fast broadband. The council is also bidding for a government grant and additional funding from the telecoms industry with the hope of generating more than £30m towards getting Wiltshire ahead in the digital revolution.

The council has set a target of giving 85% of premises access to super fast broadband by 2015 – and that target could possibly rise to 95%.

Supporting superfast broadband access is only one part of the council’s wider plans to get the county online. Being online is becoming increasingly important and the council will invest in educating people and small businesses to help them get the most out of the internet. The council will also help encourage more elderly people to use online services which will help give them greater independence. It will increase the number of its services that can be accessed online and look to develop its website so more people can pay bills and make enquiries online – increasing access and saving taxpayers’ money.

To make sure the council targets its investment to the areas which need it most, people across the county are being asked to fill in a survey. All the information gathered will help the council as it works with the telecoms industry to improve access to broadband across Wiltshire.

Separate surveys aimed at businesses and residents are available online at:

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityandliving/digitalinclusion/digitalinclusionbroadbandsurvey.htm

The survey can also be obtained by calling 0300 456 0100. The survey will run from 26 April to 3 June. Your help in completing the survey or publicising it to local residents and businesses would be very much appreciated.

Thank you for your help.

Paul Mountford

Policy Officer
Policy and Communications
Wiltshire Council
Tel 01225 718431

Email paul.mountford@wiltshire.gov.uk