At a Broadband Delivery UK event this week, Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt revoked the government’s previous commitment for a universal service level of 2Mbps for broadband by the end of 2012.
Speaking at the event he announced that due to budgetary constraints, 2015 is a more realistic goal. At the same time BIS published a discussion paper on how broadband can be rolled out, particularly in rural areas, through the sharing of other utility’s infrastructure.
In some ways, whilst financial cuts are hitting the government left, right and centre at the moment, it is no surprise that they’ve announced this problem.
It doesn’t rule out the commitment, but it does mean that Internet users, particularly in rural areas and areas of “not spots” are going to have to wait even longer to get any chance of broadband services. Sadly, one would hope that by 2015 we’d all have access to better broadband speeds than 2Mbps, however, it appears not. Furthermore this new position does little to encourage industry to roll out networks in these broadband deprived areas and progress will have to be through private initiatives like the ones we’ve seen cropping up of late where communities raise money to pay for FTTC or other means of broadband provision.
It doesn't seem to make much difference to our plans for better broadband in Lytchett because we're supposedly should all get at least 2Mbps anyway (although I'm still not convinced of that based on correspondence I've received). What it does mean is that a project for the village to go it alone is looking more likely the most favourable option for the village for now.
Friday, 16 July 2010
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Better Broadband for Lytchett Matravers
I (Mark Gracey), under the Digital Matravers banner, am launching a new campaign to get villagers in Lytchett Matravers better broadband provision.
Spurred on by the recent press coverage of Lyddington, a rural community who have successfully set up their own local Internet service and now benefit from 25mbs connectivity, I believe that with the right support from within the community, Lytchett Matravers could achieve the same.
To be able to achieve anything, villagers need to demonstrate their support for the service. Clearly, there will be costs involved, this won't be a free service, so for any business to invest equipment, resource, etc. there needs to be a firm committment from villagers that if a service is provided there will be customers who will sign up to it and pay for the service.
At the moment there appears to be three options:
1. We work with Dorset County Council and TeamDorset to pursue what benefits the 2012 Olympics can bring to us. BT are obliged to provide connectivity for the Olympics in Weymouth and as such are laying fibre across the County and opening up some Weymouth-local exchanges. Unfortunately, it would seem BT have no intention of maintaining the connectivity past the Olympics, so DCC are working on BT to turn that decision around. Potentially, this could mean that we have fibre in the ground effectively running past our "front door".
2. We engage with main consumer Internet providers (BT, VirginMedia, Sky, Orange, etc.) to convince them of a viable opportunity to deliver better services to our area.
3. We follow the Lyddington model, find some local money and set up our own Internet Service Provider. We will probably need help from local businesses with this both in terms of delivering the technical know-how and some investment.
One option which I have already looked at relates to what West Dorset Internet are doing. They offer a service whereby they deliver fast broadband via wireless technology. I have already spoken with them and they anticipate that we may need some "relay" equipment locally (perhaps on farm land) to relay wifi signals from Poole or Lulworth (where they already have mast provisions); for the end user there would probably be a £20 per month subscription with an initial outlay of £300 for a router (per user). These are only rough costs, but an indication that a local provider could help us deliver what we want. This solution could deliver us speeds up to 30mbs (that's 15 times more than villagers are generally getting now).
Personally I think that option 1 is best left to DCC; option 2 may be something we could investigate, but it is probably option 3 that looks like our best option.
BUT, I can't stress enough that there is no point in even thinking about what option to consider in detail without clear and viable support from villagers. If we can get an indication of villagers who may be interested in signing up to a service for the village, then from there we can form a small group to look at the options and how we might achieve them.
The first step then is to work out whether there is support for it. To start us off I have set up a Facebook Page. If we can encourage interested villagers to join this Page then this should help me (a) formulate the scale of interest and (b) find some volunteers to perhaps carry out a wider survey of the village and drive the project forward. For those not on Facebook please contact me via digitalmatravers@lytchettmatravers.org.uk to register your interest.
So spread the word around the village, and let's see what we can achieve
Spurred on by the recent press coverage of Lyddington, a rural community who have successfully set up their own local Internet service and now benefit from 25mbs connectivity, I believe that with the right support from within the community, Lytchett Matravers could achieve the same.
To be able to achieve anything, villagers need to demonstrate their support for the service. Clearly, there will be costs involved, this won't be a free service, so for any business to invest equipment, resource, etc. there needs to be a firm committment from villagers that if a service is provided there will be customers who will sign up to it and pay for the service.
At the moment there appears to be three options:
1. We work with Dorset County Council and TeamDorset to pursue what benefits the 2012 Olympics can bring to us. BT are obliged to provide connectivity for the Olympics in Weymouth and as such are laying fibre across the County and opening up some Weymouth-local exchanges. Unfortunately, it would seem BT have no intention of maintaining the connectivity past the Olympics, so DCC are working on BT to turn that decision around. Potentially, this could mean that we have fibre in the ground effectively running past our "front door".
2. We engage with main consumer Internet providers (BT, VirginMedia, Sky, Orange, etc.) to convince them of a viable opportunity to deliver better services to our area.
3. We follow the Lyddington model, find some local money and set up our own Internet Service Provider. We will probably need help from local businesses with this both in terms of delivering the technical know-how and some investment.
One option which I have already looked at relates to what West Dorset Internet are doing. They offer a service whereby they deliver fast broadband via wireless technology. I have already spoken with them and they anticipate that we may need some "relay" equipment locally (perhaps on farm land) to relay wifi signals from Poole or Lulworth (where they already have mast provisions); for the end user there would probably be a £20 per month subscription with an initial outlay of £300 for a router (per user). These are only rough costs, but an indication that a local provider could help us deliver what we want. This solution could deliver us speeds up to 30mbs (that's 15 times more than villagers are generally getting now).
Personally I think that option 1 is best left to DCC; option 2 may be something we could investigate, but it is probably option 3 that looks like our best option.
BUT, I can't stress enough that there is no point in even thinking about what option to consider in detail without clear and viable support from villagers. If we can get an indication of villagers who may be interested in signing up to a service for the village, then from there we can form a small group to look at the options and how we might achieve them.
The first step then is to work out whether there is support for it. To start us off I have set up a Facebook Page. If we can encourage interested villagers to join this Page then this should help me (a) formulate the scale of interest and (b) find some volunteers to perhaps carry out a wider survey of the village and drive the project forward. For those not on Facebook please contact me via digitalmatravers@lytchettmatravers.org.uk to register your interest.
So spread the word around the village, and let's see what we can achieve
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Digital Economy Bill could set Parliamentary precedent
I attended an event hosted by Consumer Focus this evening on the Digital Economy Bill, at the House of Commons. There's been a lot of press coverage recently as the Bill introduces provisions that could impact a significant number of broadband users and so this event was a profile raising occasion (mainly aimed at MPs I suspect although regrettably there weren't many there)
In a nutshell the Bill:
* sets out provisions to force Internet service providers ("ISPs") to forward notices from rights holders ("RHs") to customers RHs believe are infringing copyright (typically via peer to peer networks such as BitTorrent, eMule, etc). Customers who continue to infringe can then have their details handed over to the RHs by Court Order to pursue them via the courts.
* if those notice forwarding provisions are not succesful in reducing copyright infringment the Secretary of State can get Ofcom to look at an introduce technical measures to curb persistent offenders (e.g. by suspending accounts, throttling, etc.)
* Other clauses in the Bill introduce attempts to instigate blocking injunctions
Most of the controversy revolves around the technical measures and the blocking. The Bill has passed through Lords and is due its second reading on 6th April - the same date that it is widely anticipated the Prime Minster will call an election.
According to John Grogan MP at tonights DEBill discussion if the PM asks the Queen Tuesday morning (6th) to dissolve Parliament ready for an election, there is no Parliamentary precedent for what should happen with the DEBill debate in the afternoon (with wash-up taking place probably on Wednesday).
The worry of course is that the Bill just won't get the debate it needs as it is likely that it won't get a full debate just on the 6th and then we enter the wash-up period where "behind doors" agreements and compromises are made to any outstanding Bills. So all in all, despite lots of public pressure to get a public debate (see https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/contribute/DigitalEconomyBillAd for a sample) and the thousands of letters written to MPs what's the chances the Bill will get nothing more than a nod through parliament and the Internet industry will get burdensome processes to follow and members of the public will get threatening emails from their ISP if they persist with infringement which might not even actually be them (open wi-fi, unknown activity from family members, etc, etc.).
All in all a complete mess and one that could easily be knocked into touch if all MPs refuse to debate until a new Parliament is formed just a few months later. But with the 6th April being the first day back from Easter recess, an election being called and MPs out canvassing and possibly not even in Parliament, the odds are well and truly stacked.
If you are affected by the comments in this blog and want to speak to someone then contact your MP and demand a proper debate for the DEBill
In a nutshell the Bill:
* sets out provisions to force Internet service providers ("ISPs") to forward notices from rights holders ("RHs") to customers RHs believe are infringing copyright (typically via peer to peer networks such as BitTorrent, eMule, etc). Customers who continue to infringe can then have their details handed over to the RHs by Court Order to pursue them via the courts.
* if those notice forwarding provisions are not succesful in reducing copyright infringment the Secretary of State can get Ofcom to look at an introduce technical measures to curb persistent offenders (e.g. by suspending accounts, throttling, etc.)
* Other clauses in the Bill introduce attempts to instigate blocking injunctions
Most of the controversy revolves around the technical measures and the blocking. The Bill has passed through Lords and is due its second reading on 6th April - the same date that it is widely anticipated the Prime Minster will call an election.
According to John Grogan MP at tonights DEBill discussion if the PM asks the Queen Tuesday morning (6th) to dissolve Parliament ready for an election, there is no Parliamentary precedent for what should happen with the DEBill debate in the afternoon (with wash-up taking place probably on Wednesday).
The worry of course is that the Bill just won't get the debate it needs as it is likely that it won't get a full debate just on the 6th and then we enter the wash-up period where "behind doors" agreements and compromises are made to any outstanding Bills. So all in all, despite lots of public pressure to get a public debate (see https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/contribute/DigitalEconomyBillAd for a sample) and the thousands of letters written to MPs what's the chances the Bill will get nothing more than a nod through parliament and the Internet industry will get burdensome processes to follow and members of the public will get threatening emails from their ISP if they persist with infringement which might not even actually be them (open wi-fi, unknown activity from family members, etc, etc.).
All in all a complete mess and one that could easily be knocked into touch if all MPs refuse to debate until a new Parliament is formed just a few months later. But with the 6th April being the first day back from Easter recess, an election being called and MPs out canvassing and possibly not even in Parliament, the odds are well and truly stacked.
If you are affected by the comments in this blog and want to speak to someone then contact your MP and demand a proper debate for the DEBill
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
New Campaign for Better Broadband for Rural Dorset
Mark Gracey has launched a Better Broadband for Rural Dorset Campaign: http://betterbroadband4ruraldorset.wordpress.com/ and twitterfeed @BB4RuralDorset and FB page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Better-Broadband-for-Rural-Dorset/321581237822?ref=nf
Monday, 8 February 2010
Last chance to register interest in high speed broadband for businesses in Dorset
In conjunction with DCC, Team Dorset are seeking input into their survey about how your businesses are affected by broadband provision in Dorset.
Team Dorset and DCC are working to make use of the high speed connections being laid across Dorset for the 2012 Olympics. For more details and to complete the survey visit the Team Dorset site.
Team Dorset and DCC are working to make use of the high speed connections being laid across Dorset for the 2012 Olympics. For more details and to complete the survey visit the Team Dorset site.
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Web safety event in Dorset
Families in Dorset can attend an Internet safety event at Poole's Children Centre next Saturday.
For more details see Dorset Police's website.
For more details see Dorset Police's website.
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Digital Opportunity for Dorset
British Telecom is the Tier 1 Communications Sponsor of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Part of their sponsorship contract involves the installation of high capacity 21st century network connectivity to the 2012 sailing event venue, the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.
This high band-width fibre optic connection will support data, voice, media and mobile communication during games time. This activity provides a unique opportunity to fast-track high quality broadband provision across Dorset – however to do this Dorset County Council needs your feedback.
This is an ideal opportunity for us all to get access to higher speed internet access, but DCC will need help convincing BT and other telecoms providers that there is suitable demand in our area.
To help, you can fill out this questionnaire.
This high band-width fibre optic connection will support data, voice, media and mobile communication during games time. This activity provides a unique opportunity to fast-track high quality broadband provision across Dorset – however to do this Dorset County Council needs your feedback.
This is an ideal opportunity for us all to get access to higher speed internet access, but DCC will need help convincing BT and other telecoms providers that there is suitable demand in our area.
To help, you can fill out this questionnaire.
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Government promoting Pass IT On
The Government and the Champion for Digital Inclusion are supporting the Pass IT On initiative. The initiative appears to be encouraging online users to encourage their offline friends and family to get online. It's worth checking out the site and seeing if you can help.
One way of doing this is to take them to a UK Online centre - our nearest appears to be Creekmoor Library.
How this could apply to you or if you're interested in making this initiative work locally, maybe something you'd like to raise at the Digital Matravers event on the 5th December at the village hall.
One way of doing this is to take them to a UK Online centre - our nearest appears to be Creekmoor Library.
How this could apply to you or if you're interested in making this initiative work locally, maybe something you'd like to raise at the Digital Matravers event on the 5th December at the village hall.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
First meeting of Digital Matravers
Unsure about the benefits the Internet and technology can bring to your life? Want to use the Internet or be shown how to use it effectively? Wondered what Facebook is? Or just want to complain about digital services in the village or the County?
If the answer to any of these questions is “YES” then our Digital Matravers surgeries are for you. On the 5th December at 10:00 till 12:00 Mark Gracey (Vice Chair of Lytchett Matravers Parish Council) will be holding surgery sessions in the Blanchard Room of the village hall, making use of the village hall's own wifi Internet connection. Come along for a chat, ask some questions or even to have a moan.
If the answer to any of these questions is “YES” then our Digital Matravers surgeries are for you. On the 5th December at 10:00 till 12:00 Mark Gracey (Vice Chair of Lytchett Matravers Parish Council) will be holding surgery sessions in the Blanchard Room of the village hall, making use of the village hall's own wifi Internet connection. Come along for a chat, ask some questions or even to have a moan.
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