County council looks for volunteers to explain benefits of superfast broadband

An English county council has announced that it is looking for tech savvy volunteers who will be able to explain the benefits of the superfast broadband rollout in rural villages and towns in the area.

As many people are already aware, access to superfast broadband will provide many homes and businesses with huge benefits, particularly those in rural areas where access to adequate broadband speeds has been distinctly lacking in the past, putting them at a real disadvantage compared to their urban counterparts.

It has now been announced that one English county council is looking for tech savvy volunteers who are confident enough to explain the many benefits of the superfast broadband rollout in the rural towns and villages within the area. Herefordshire County Council is hoping to sign up volunteers who have the knowledge and ability to explain the benefits in detail to consumers and businesses.

The council is effectively seeking ‘broadband champions’ according to a recent report, and the job of these volunteers will be to help locals to get to grips with the many benefits of faster, more efficient broadband access in the area. Volunteers will also be asked to provide locals with information on what they currently have available to them, enabling them to make a more informed decision when making purchases.

One university lecturer, Toby Murcott, is said to have stated: “The benefits high speed broadband will bring are immeasurable. Elderly people living alone can be in regular video contact with family or friends, or could consult their doctors via a webcam. The main reason I’m doing this is for my three year-old daughter, because when she goes to school, she won’t be able to get the most out of it unless she has access to faster internet.”

Do you think it’s a good idea to have volunteers explaining the benefits of high speed broadband?