Home
 » ISP News » 
Sponsored Links

Superfast Essex Project Opens Community Wi-Fi Scheme to All Suppliers

Monday, Oct 16th, 2017 (3:59 pm) - Score 623

The publicly funded Community WiFi scheme in Essex, which offers small grants (up to £400) to help communities setup a public wireless network via local hubs (village halls, community centres etc.), has this month been opened up to all suppliers via the regional Superfast Essex project.

The scheme, which is funded by Essex County Council’s Community Initiatives Fund (CIF), was first launched last year (here) and since then a total of 19 “successful applications” have been received from community hubs. However only 5 of those are live with the Wi-Fi service in Alphamstone, Bradwell, Mayland, Peldon and White Colne.

At launch the scheme was only offered via two “approved suppliers” (‘APC Solutions’ or ‘County Broadband’) and the local authority admits that some of the feedback they received about this revealed that the number of suppliers “was too restrictive.” As a result Superfast Essex has opened up the scheme and communities can now select a broadband ISP of their choice to install their “superfast broadband” and Wi-Fi service.

Advertisement

The scheme was officially “re-launched” on Saturday 14th October.

Kevin Bentley, Deputy Council Leader, said:

“This scheme provides a great opportunity for communities to get online and access faster connectivity so it is great news the Community Initiatives Fund has agreed to support it for a second year. I encourage all communities without Wi-Fi currently to consider submitting an application and with an open choice of supplier there is even more choice.”

It’s worth noting that a venue can only be classified as a community hub if it is run as a charity or on a “not for profit” basis. Further details here.

Mark-Jackson
By Mark Jackson
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and .
Search ISP News
Search ISP Listings
Search ISP Reviews

Comments are closed

Cheap BIG ISPs for 100Mbps+
Community Fibre UK ISP Logo
100Mbps
Gift: First 3 Months Free
Sky UK ISP Logo
Sky £22.00 - 26.00
100Mbps
Gift: None
Youfibre UK ISP Logo
Youfibre £23.99
150Mbps
Gift: None
Virgin Media UK ISP Logo
Virgin Media £23.99
132Mbps
Gift: None
NOW UK ISP Logo
NOW £25.00
100Mbps
Gift: None
Large Availability | View All
Cheap Unlimited Mobile SIMs
Talkmobile UK ISP Logo
Talkmobile £11.95
Contract: 12 Months
Data: 120GB
iD Mobile UK ISP Logo
iD Mobile £16.00
Contract: 24 Months
Data: Unlimited
Smarty UK ISP Logo
Smarty £18.00
Contract: 1 Month
Data: Unlimited
ASDA Mobile UK ISP Logo
ASDA Mobile £19.00
Contract: 24 Months
Data: Unlimited
Three UK ISP Logo
Three £20.00
Contract: 24 Months
Data: Unlimited
New Forum Topics
By: AbsolutelyRidiculous
By: davegr
By: The Wee Bear
Cheapest ISPs for 100Mbps+
Community Fibre UK ISP Logo
100Mbps
Gift: First 3 Months Free
Gigaclear UK ISP Logo
Gigaclear £19.00
300Mbps
Gift: None
Sky UK ISP Logo
Sky £22.00 - 26.00
100Mbps
Gift: None
toob UK ISP Logo
toob £22.00
150Mbps
Gift: None
Beebu UK ISP Logo
Beebu £23.00
100 - 160Mbps
Gift: None
Large Availability | View All
Promotion
Sponsored

Copyright © 1999 to Present - ISPreview.co.uk - All Rights Reserved - Terms , Privacy and Cookie Policy , Links , Website Rules , Contact
Mastodon