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BES Initiatives
The Broadband East Sussex programme started in April 2003 to promote the significant benefits of broadband to East Sussex, increasing take-up and making the county a more competitive, innovative and exciting place to live and work.
It set itself the bold target to achieve as close to 100% broadband service availability throughout the county by December 2005. By this date we have achieved 99.8% coverage.
The last 0.2% remains a very challenging target due the reach of the existing ADSL technology and the limitations of alternative solutions currently being considered. Broadband East Sussex will continue to work with our partners to address the small number of areas known as 'non-spots' - those who cannot currently connect to broadband. Please click here if you believe you may be affected and help us identify where these non-spots are located.
Broadband East Sussex has successfully delivered against stretching targets: Increasing the number of exchanges which are broadband enabled from 11 in 2003 to 63 (out of 64) and commissioning a Broadband Wireless Network pilot for Isfield (an area outside BT's exchange enablement).
The Programme has successfully increased the take-up rate (by small businesses and individuals) from 8% in 2003 to 30.3% in December 2005. This is in comparison to the national take-up average of 25.0% for the same period.
The Broadband East Sussex Team has exceeded its targets through demand-stimulation activities, working in tandem with locally focussed marketing campaigns supported by the other partners. The Project targets key work streams in Business, Education and the Community/Voluntary sectors, and each has benefited with dedicated work programmes.
To date the Broadband East Sussex programme has successfully:
- Supported thousands of local businesses in an impressive drive to grow e-commerce, through one on one assists and business grants (300 x £100 grants to connect to broadband)
- Driven exciting new initiatives to promote broadband use in education - e.g. Upload! An interschool "PopStar/Music Challenge" integrating both IT & Music technology in schools
- Helped disadvantaged community groups - e.g. Sidley Community Association have been donated free broadband connection and one year's connectivity
- Brokered deals between ISPs to directly benefit schools, local communities and small businesses
- Commissioned a wireless/satellite enabled bus to provide free impartial advice and solutions for e-business growth, education and adult learning
