Switch on Shropshire increases broadband use in county

Press release - 9 July 2007

Switch on Shropshire increases broadband use in county

A major initiative aimed at increasing the availability and usage of broadband Internet services in Shropshire has been a big success, benefiting 30,000 people and 400 businesses in just four years, a report to be presented to Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet tomorrow (Tuesday 10 July) will show.

Switch on Shropshire was launched in 2003 to help provide communities and businesses in the county’s Rural Regeneration Zone/Objective 2 area with better access to broadband. The report is a final evaluation of the project, which ended in April 2007.

Managed by Shropshire County Council and funded through European Regional Development and Rural Regeneration Zone funds, the £4 million project provided ‘support packages’ - including grant aid – to businesses and communities.

This support has enabled 400 small and medium-sized companies to acquire broadband equipment, connection, training, and to develop products, and has led to the creation of 35 ‘Broadplaces’ in villages and towns, which more than 30,000 local people have visited to learn about and experience broadband Internet.

Paul Nash, Project Manager, said: “The Broadplaces have in many cases gone beyond their primary aim to address take-up and use of broadband services – and have played a key role in stimulating important new learning opportunities for their communities. The Broadplaces appear to be playing positive roles too within the communities – bringing together diverse groups of people with varied interests.

“Similarly, the business grants have raised the bar for SMEs in the county, with respect to their attitudes to ICT and their use of broadband and online services. There has been an uplift in business broadband take-up as a result of the project, but also some key changes in the way that local businesses have integrated ICT into their operations.”

Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for community well-being said: “This report clearly illustrates that the Switch on Shropshire has been very successful and provided a welcome boost to local communities and businesses in many parts of the county. The project has met all its initial targets within budget and I congratulate all involved in managing and delivering it since its inception in 2003.”

Evaluation of the Switch on Shropshire project found that that it has been successful in increasing access to and awareness of broadband, particularly in rural communities, but found there is a need for further work to stimulate take-up within the county. As a result, the council will continue to provide support to Broadplaces.

ENDS

For further information, call Paul Nash, Resources Directorate, on (01743) 252299.
For media contact, call Gareth Proffitt, Communications Officer, on (01743) 252828.