Getting up to speed with Superfast broadband bid

Moves are being made to deliver superfast broadband access to residents in Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull.

A campaign has launched to involve residents in the bid by completing a survey, which is the key to a successful bid for Government money for the scheme.

Superfast broadband is the faster future of the internet. It will be quicker and more reliable than the current service and provide better access in rural locations.

Warwickshire County Council, in partnership with Coventry City Council, Solihull Borough Council and the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is preparing the bid which will see superfast broadband delivered across the sub-region.

As part of the bid, evidence is required of how the current system is working, or indeed not working, for local residents and businesses. A special website has been set up so that people can put their views forward by filling in the survey at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/superfastbroadband

Louise Wall, Warwickshire County Council's Head of Sustainable Communities and Programme Director of the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP, said: “Superfast broadband has become an essential for businesses and for people's everyday lives.

“Through the LEP, we intend to submit a bid for Government funding to enable us to roll it out across Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull for the benefit of all businesses and residents.

“It is impossible to overstate the massive benefit this would bring to the whole economy – especially in our more rural areas, which are currently at a disadvantage because of not being able to use everyday technologies.

“Firstly, we need to know exactly how the current system is working and what people think of it to prove that action is needed. For example, every business and household in the area should be able to use a simple portal such as the BBC's iPlayer – currently that is not the case."

Cllr Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Environment and Economy and LEP board member, added: “Superfast broadband is the future and we need to equip our homes and offices with a strong digital structure to ensure we have a system fit for the 21^st century. I urge residents and businesses to get involved in our campaign for higher speed broadband by completing the survey online. A successful bid is crucial to helping our economy thrive and improving quality of life."

To be able to watch streamed video on the internet, such as the BBC iPlayer, broadband speeds of at least 2Mb are required. Many homes, particularly in Warwickshire's rural locations, cannot access these speeds with the current services provided.

Superfast broadband will enable residents to download films and games faster, stay in touch with relatives at home and abroad easier, and access the very latest news.

A stronger digital structure will help to modernise libraries by giving the option of downloading e-books direct to your computer, and offer more convenient ways of accessing services and paying bills. It will also provide a better platform for education with faster connection for schools and helping adults gain new skills online.