Network of help puts firms on broadband in Dales

Feb 15 2008 By The Journal

BUSINESSES in some of the region’s most remote areas will soon be connected to reliable broadband services for the first time – with support from regional development agency One NorthEast and the UK’s first broadband community co-operative.

Fifty-five SMEs in the South Tyne Valley will receive cost-effective, wireless broadband access in the £58,000 Broadband for the Dales project, which is designed to help businesses in parts of the region still unable to link to high speed internet services.

One NorthEast, Northumberland Strategic Partnership and Cybermoor Ltd, a social enterprise based in Alston Moor, are joining forces to deliver the hardware and engineering needed to install and configure the wireless networks. One NorthEast is investing £50,000 of Single Programme funding to support the project.

The development agency’s eBusiness senior specialist Stephen Carey said: “In 2005 we invested several million pounds so that all North East telephone exchanges are enabled to provide ADSL broadband – a first for the UK.

“But there are still some pockets of rural businesses that are located too far from an exchange to take advantage of the technology, leaving them at a serious disadvantage when it comes to trading online, tapping into global markets and in stimulating new enterprise and innovation in rural areas.

“BT has tried to connect many of these businesses, but in some cases the technical barriers are simply too great.

“This is a practical way of addressing those barriers, ultimately helping to create and maintain thriving and sustainable rural communities in which businesses want to start up and can succeed in the global marketplace.”

Cybermoor has been working with partners in the public sector for the past four years to demonstrate that wireless broadband can be a solution for businesses unable to use high speed internet through a landline.

The social enterprise has more than 300 shareholder customers in its co-op, connected via wireless links to a network which covers an area the size of central Newcastle.

It employs a practical team, combining financial, project management, technical and customer service skills.

The new www.cybermoor.coop website allows people across the region to find out about alternative ways of picking up broadband, and to get advice via online forums.

Project manager Daniel Heery said: “Living in a remote rural area, we know how important good internet connections are.

“With One NorthEast, we are meeting the challenge of connecting people who have no other way of accessing the internet for business and learning.”

Businesses involved in Broadband for the Dales will begin to get their broadband access next month. March

Any business wanting more information should visit www.cybermoor.coop