No Upfront Cost for Broadband Deal for Bournemouth Schools

Teachers and governors at schools in Bournemouth will not have to pay upfront costs to sign up to a new broadband deal. Deputy leader Cllr John Beesley has reassured all schools in the borough that they have an opportunity to install broadband under a deal negotiated by the council’s outsourcing partner Mouchel. There were concerns floating around the broadband set up costs.

It was said that schools needed to pay initial set up costs of around £8,600 and would risk losing their broadband connection if they did not pay in advance.

However, Beesley said that the costs involved were not a charge imposed by Mouchel but the amount charged by the actual broadband provider for the service. The provider is a charitable trust and the price that has been negotiated with them is extremely competitive, he added.

Also, it is not compulsory for schools to install broadband under the deal. Schools are, of course, free to buy in a service from elsewhere but it is unlikely they will find a more cost-effective solution, Beesley said.

This has been negotiated by Mouchel and offered as a consortium deal for schools to ensure the best value for them in the long-term future. There will be no upfront costs for the service until the system is completely installed.

We will work with all schools to ensure that they do not lose their broadband service and we will not cut their service immediately if they do not decide to go ahead with the solution Mouchel have recommended, Beesley said.