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Broadband coverage wipes out ‘not spots’ in Peak Forest
Residents in the village of Peak Forest have successfully transformed their ‘not spot’ into a wireless ‘hot spot’, thanks to the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP).
The village has suffered in the past from a number of spots with no broadband access, frustrating both residents who wanted to surf the internet and local companies who need good broadband access to run a successful business. The issue was also a problem for High Peak Borough Council, which aims to encourage inward investment to the area.
Help was at hand in the form of a grant and practical support to find a supplier who could identify the problem and provide a solution. After much searching, Avanti Communications, a satellite broadband provider, came on board.
DDEP Chief Executive, Kevin Edwards, says: “Happily for both residents and businesses, the solution is fantastic and finally Peak Forest is a broadband hotspot. Companies can move here safe in the knowledge that they’ll be able to do business online.”
DDEP has awarded grants for the installation costs of two satellite systems to enable service to a further 18 properties which couldn’t pick up broadband. The grant also covers the first month’s subscription to broadband to ensure everyone is able to get up and running. This is particularly useful for those residents who already received an internet service through a different provider and who will need to give notice to switch to Avanti Communications, who are eradicating the ‘not spot’ problem. Two tariffs are available – domestic and business.
Avanti Communications has now installed both satellite systems and to date seven customers have signed up to the service, with DDEP providing funding for the small receiver boxes that are needed to receive the signal, as well as the first month’s subscription.
Tony Kemp, Executive Councillor for Regeneration for High Peak Borough Council says: “This is a very welcome move and I’m delighted that we’ve received funding. This is a good example of how working together with our partners and Avanti has sorted the problem out. It means that anyone who wants to can be online, whether that’s to do business or simply to email friends and family.”
Local residents Veronica Ashby and Mike Thompson helped the supplier, Avanti, identify two locations (including the Post Office) to host the necessary equipment. The equipment transmits signals to a further 18 properties in the village, which provides total wireless broadband coverage for the entire village.
Kevin Edwards from DDEP is keen to point out that further grants might be available for businesses in the area, who want to improve the way they do business by using the web and other ICT.
He says: “For those businesses who want to invest in technology, there may be grants available. It is managed by Business Link on DDEP's behalf, and provides matched funding for small to medium businesses.”
The grants are for initiatives such as:
- investment in technology to allow staff to home, or mobile, work
- development of e-commerce capability
- online booking systems for tourist businesses
Each case will be appraised on its merits.
The news of Peak Forest’s transformation into a hot spot comes ahead of a new campaign by DDEP to help companies improve their business success by making better use of online and mobile technology. The campaign will be unveiled in May.
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Notes to Editors
About Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership
The Derby & Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP) is one of seven Sub-regional Strategic Partnerships (SSPs) set up by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) in 2003.
Its aim is to stimulate, develop and bring forward a range of sustainable economic opportunities in Derby and Derbyshire and improve the prosperity and overall environment for businesses, communities, individuals and visitors.
DDEP's region covers the City of Derby and the borough and district councils of Amber Valley, Derbyshire Dales, Erewash, High Peak and South Derbyshire.
For further information visit www.ddep.co.uk
East Midlands Development Agency
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine English Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) set up by the Government in 1999 to:
• further economic development and regeneration
• promote business efficiency and competitiveness
• promote employment
Each RDA agrees to champion certain aspects of the RDA agenda and is said to have a lead role on that issue. One area which emda champions is international activities, and we take a lead role in addressing key issues that affect all the English RDAs and consider ways in which we can advise Government to shape policy to benefit all regions.
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) was set up in 1999 to bring more jobs and skills to the region and to make the East Midlands a better place to live and work. The new Regional Economic Strategy - ‘A Flourishing Region’, co-ordinated by emda and published in July 2006, sets out priorities for the region until 2020. Its publication follows the most comprehensive consultation ever undertaken in the East Midlands where more than 1,400 stakeholders and partners, and thousands of members of the public had their say on the future of the region. The RES highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and is underpinned by ten priorities. The new RES builds on the previous two strategies ‘Prosperity Through People’ and ‘Destination 2010’.
For more details visit www.emda.org.uk
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