ZyNet - Professional Internet Services

17 NOVEMBER 2003

MULTI-MILLION POUND BROADBAND PROJECT WILL BENEFIT DEVON ECONOMY

A £12.5 million pound project was announced today, which will harness high speed broadband technology to create or safeguard more than 1,600 jobs in Devon.

Broadband4Devon, one of the largest private and public sector partnerships ever seen in the county, will help 5,500 Devon firms benefit fully from the e-business revolution.

Broadband4Devon is a partnership between Devon County Council; the South West of England Regional Development Agency; Business Link Devon and Cornwall; BT; Chronos/Bluewire/Zynet; the universities of Exeter and Plymouth; the Further Education Colleges of Plymouth and North Devon; Devon and Cornwall Business Council.

The project organisers estimate that more than 600 new jobs will be created, whilst more than 1,000 jobs will be safeguarded. The great majority of new jobs will come from helping small and medium businesses in Devon grow through increased productivity and finding new markets in this country and overseas.

The three year project is funded by £5.5 million from the European Objective Two programme and a further £1.1 million from the South West Regional Development Agency.

The project will:
- assist firms to make best use of all broadband technologies via a range of subsidies, advice and support
- work with communities to extend the provision of broadband services in rural Devon.

Business owners will receive practical advice and guidance on equipment and applications from Business Link Information Technology advisers. This will be focussed on assisting owners and managers to make use of Broadband fast access to the internet to increase profitability and competitiveness.

If the project develops as hoped, a second phase will be launched, which will result in Devon firms outside Objective Two areas also being offered support.

The project was today welcomed by Stephen Timms, E-Commerce Minister. He said: "This scheme is a good example of what can be achieved with a partnership approach. The Government is keen to see as much of the UK as possible gain access to affordable broadband services, particularly in rural areas, and take advantage of the available business opportunities."

Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael added: "Broadband opens up a wealth of new opportunities for businesses and individuals, particularly for those in more remote areas. Evidence suggests that areas which have made successful use of the technology act as a catalyst for others, and I very much hope that this dynamic project will inspire others to follow their example."

Councillor Derrick Spear Devon County Council's Executive Member of Economic Regeneration, said: "This project will provide a vital and long lasting boost for the Devon economy. It will mean that local firms can capitalise on the huge opportunities offered by broadband communications in making themselves more productive and competitive. And, of course, it will also offer considerable benefits for the county's citizens, who will be able to make use of the wider availability and understanding of broadband to assist their learning and development. Broadband could play a key role in dealing with issues such as social exclusion and help to put the county at the forefront of the e-revolution."

Sue Brownlow, Head at Operations for Devon at the South West Regional Development Agency said: "Like the successful Act Now broadband project in Cornwall, this is an integrated project in which the supply of technology is linked to an awareness and demand stimulation programme. Together, they make the new technology commercially sustainable. By working together, we are breaking the vicious circle where low demand leads to a lack of investment in broadband services."

Pierre Danon, chief executive officer for BT Retail, said: "We applaud the Broadband4Devon partners in putting broadband at the heart of their economic strategies. This multi million pound project will demonstrate the real power of organisations working together in local communities. It will play a major role in helping households and businesses harness the huge benefits offered by broadband and, in so doing, make a vital contribution to the future prosperity of the area. This project is an important part of our ambitious nationwide partnerships programme aimed at extending broadband to more remote areas."

Charles Curry, Chairman of Chronos Technology Group representing the Bluewire/Zynet partnership commented "The Broadband4Devon initiative is an exciting and innovative project - one of the first in the country involving a partnership between different technology partners and we are delighted that Devon recognises the major role that radio technology will play in helping businesses in remote areas throughout the accelerated provision of high speed broadband internet connections.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

1 - Broadband can be delivered in different ways - over an ordinary telephone line or private network, via a cable connection or across mobile, satellite and wireless networks. Its high speed and high capacity eliminates the frustrating delays while large files and graphics download. And because it is 'always on' broadband puts an end to having to spend time using a dial-up connection to access the internet. Businesses are able to use broadband in ways that improve their competitiveness, profitability and levels of customer service.

For individuals, broadband can open up whole new areas of learning and recreation through high-speed access to the limitless range of knowledge and information contained on the internet.

2 - The Objective 2 area in Devon covers Plymouth, the South Hams, West Devon, Torridge, North Devon and parts of mid Devon and Torbay.

3 - The Business Link service for Devon and Cornwall is a government-funded service designed to provide the best possible help to people starting, running or growing a business. At its core is an information and enquiry centre, supported by a network of local and national specialists and support organisations. Business Link receives European funding to help it deliver its services in Devon and Cornwall.

Issued on behalf of the Government Office South West by the Government News Network. For further information please contact Wailim Wong on 01752-635053 or 07748-654468.

For further information about the Broadband4Devon partnership or help with interviews please contact PAT NETTLETON of Devon County Council on 01392 383290 OR 07866-752314.

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