ruralnet|uk news

Another good year for ruralnet|uk ...

It has been an exciting year for ruralnet|uk with lots of 'firsts', including a Home Office Minister, Fiona Mactaggart MP, addressing our national conference, and the introduction of marketing as a dedicated role. Published today, the ruralnet|uk annual report and accounts can now be viewed online; and make for an interesting read (see here for the report in .pdf format - 1.23M).

ruralnet|uk's Chief Executive launches wirksworth.net

http://www.wirksworth.net/ is the next logical step for a Derbyshire Dales community that is already in the lead. In November 2003 the community was successful in securing a £30,000 grant under the RABBIT Scheme to link businesses and household using wireless broadband technology. Households and businesses in the town can now choose to access the internet using ADSL or to connect using the wireless system provided by Zycomm Electronics. The wireless system also reaches the outlying areas which are beyond the reach of ADSL. At the launch Simon Berry said,

"Once you have it, technology doesn't matter, it's what the people and the community do with it that counts. wirksworth.net is one of the first steps to effective use of the technology for everyone in Wirksworth and the surrounding areas."

CBN Goes Independent

The Community Broadband Network has moved into its second phase of development as an independent co-operative of local broadband projects and their supporters. Project partner ruralnet|uk will continue to play a key role in CBN providing on-line technology and support and running the CBN DirectSupport mentoring service for rural communities.

Broadband Sandwich anyone? ruralnet|2003 provides meaty fare

'Sandwiching' either end of this year's meaty ruralnet|uk Conference, on the theme of sustainable livelihoods for rural Britain, is an opportunity to share experience and learn about rural broadband. So vital is this new conduit for rural services and information that the ruralnet team have designed the conference with extra sessions on broadband both before the main event, and afterwards, at no additional charge to delegates.

ruralnet|uk Highly Commended for Broadband in eCommerce Awards

The rural regeneration charity, ruralnet|uk, was one of two nominees awarded Highly Commended in the Broadband category of the West Midlands eCommerce Awards Dinner, at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce last night.

Presenting the trophy, Llewella Bailey of ITV Central News said that the judges had found it impossible to identify a clear winner between the two most impressive nominees in the Broadband category. ruralnet|uk was particularly praised by the judges for its online services and its pioneering work in helping communities and voluntary organisations to understand and implement broadband solutions, particularly in rural areas.

ruralnet|uk reaches regional final of eCommerce Awards - twice

It was confirmed today that the newly independent rural regeneration charity, ruralnet|uk, has reached the regional finals of the high profile eCommerce Awards. ruralnet|uk are in with two chances to progress to the national finals as they have been shortlisted in two categories: eBusiness Start-up and Broadband.

ruralnet|uk's Chief Executive said,

"It is a great honour to reach the final for such a prestigious award and a real endorsement to have two chances of going through the national finals! However, it's clear that we are up against some stiff competition, in both categories, from some of the slickest eBusinesses in the West Midlands.

"Pre-independence, ruralnet|uk won the regional eCommerce Award in 2002 when there was a category specifically for the Community and Voluntary Sector. This year we are competing with the commercial sector."

Rural Broadband - A Race With No Finish

The Chief Executive of ruralnet|uk, the rural regeneration charity, welcomed the British Telecom (BT) announcement on the extended reach of the basic ADSL service (18 August, ref NR075) but advised against complacency.

Simon Berry said,

"Already many businesses regard broadband as an essential utility, like water or electricity. The big difference between broadband and the other utilities is that broadband technology is improving all the time. This means that what is regarded as broadband today will not support the services of tomorrow being developed for delivery over broadband.

"The BT announcement of the increased reach of ADSL is very welcome, but ruralnet|uk has an ongoing duty to do all it can to ensure the relative disadvantage, suffered by rural businesses and the communities they support, is continually reduced."

Internet achievement award for ruralnet|uk online expert

Mark Harrison, the Chairman of the community broadband initiative, 3-C, and broadband expert for ruralnet|uk's Experts Online panel has been recognised for his work as the largest not-for-profit broadband supplier in West Yorkshire. The 'Internet Achievement Award' was presented to Mark at the Digital Yorkshire Internet Awards ceremony held at Cutlers Hall, Sheffield, at the end of April, to highlight his individual impact in the internet and digital world.

Mark said, "Although it was an individual award, it was a community effort and is reflective of the work being done up and down the country literally by hundreds of rural communities who are coming to the CBN (Community Broadband Network) for support".

Minister Launches Broadband Support Network at ABC Conference

Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael MP is scheduled to launch the new Community Broadband Network at the Access to Broadband Campaign Conference on 27th January.

Supported by government, industry and the co-operative movement, CBN has been set up to help communities get access to affordable broadband - including creating their own services - using social enterprise models.

Stephen Timms to announce support for rural broadband at ruralnet|2003

'Rural Broadband through Social Enterprise' - first promoted by Stephen Timms MP earlier this year - will get a further boost in his address at the national ruralnet|2003 conference next week, in Wyboston, Cambridge.