Second broadband plan announced for the Isle of Wight

Most people have a lot to say when it comes to their broadband connections. Some are extremely satisfied, others are barely content, while some others yearn for better speeds and services. If you’re a user from the Isle of Wight, though, then here’s some good news (especially if you belong to the last category of users): A second broadband scheme has just been announce to bring superfast broadband to the area. Superfast broadband is defined as “having a potential headline access speed of at least 20Mb, with no upper limit.”

The broadband upgrade will be rolled out all throughout the island, including the rural areas. This was announced by the Isle of Wight Council cabinet. The council plans to invest £3 million to fund the technology, which will be added with additional investments from the government’s match funding and contributions from the private sector.

The news follows a commitment by BT Broadband to set up superfast broadband connections in Newport, Ryde and Cowes. Councillor George Brown said: “BT’s massive investment is very good news but would not provide the total solution as it would not bring super-fast broadband to some of the Island’s significant towns, nor its rural areas. What we are proposing will mean that, rather than having a two-speed Island, we will have super-fast broadband available to everyone, wherever they live or work.”

He added: “In what are very difficult economic times we have made some difficult decisions in order to allow us to invest in our priority areas. One such area is the economy and this investment is a statement of that intent and one that will bring tangible benefit to the Island’s businesses and residents.”

The announcement was also met warmly by businessmen in the area. Norman Arnold, from the Isle of Wight branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, commented: “We would welcome the roll out of super-fast broadband across the Island with open arms. It will provide a real competitive advantage to most Island business, whether in manufacturing, hospitality, retail or the service sectors. We have some of the country’s best small and specialist enterprises here on the Island. Many are at a disadvantage because of The Solent, many more because of the slow speed of communications and lack of bandwidth. All we need is an even playing field and we can compete with anybody. This investment will help us greatly in that respect.”

Source – IWCP