Posted: 02nd Nov, 2005 By: MarkJ
In a collaboration between the public and private sector, the West Midlands Networking Company (WMNC) has awarded BT with a contract for delivery of broadband (ADSL) to the remaining 45 areas across the West Midlands, South West and East Midlands that do not currently have access:
Making affordable broadband services available in these areas had not been considered economically viable by private sector suppliers on their own, but a recent European Commission decision means that public sector intervention can now assist and make it possible for suppliers to make the business case.
The Rural Broadband Access Project (RBAP) is funded by Advantage West Midlands, the South West Development Agency, the East Midlands Development Agency and the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP) and is delivered by WMNC.
The first exchanges are set to be enabled in February, with the project due to complete in July. Roll-out dates will be published on http://www.thepowerofbroadband.org.uk once agreement on terms and conditions has been reached. The website will be maintained with up-to-date information as the project progresses.
*Exchanges that will be enabled as part of the project:
West Midlands Exchange Areas
Alstonfield (Staffordshire)
Blackshaw (Staffordshire)
Fradley (Staffordshire)
Hamstall Ridware (Staffordshire)
Hollington (Staffordshire)
Onecote (Staffordshire)
Rudyard (Staffordshire)
Burwarton (Shropshire)
Calverhall (Shropshire)
Kinlet (Shropshire)
Lee Brockhurst (Shropshire)
Leebotwood (Shropshire)
Middleton Scriven (Shropshire)
Morville (Shropshire)
Norton (Shropshire)
Uppington (Shropshire)
Wetwood (Shropshire)
Yockleton (Shropshire)
How Caple (Herefordshire)
Ivington (Herefordshire)
Longtown Castle (Herefordshire)
Michaelchurch (Herefordshire)
Pencombe (Herefordshire)
Cotheridge (Worcestershire)
South West Exchange Areas
Brendon (Cornwall)
North Tamerton (Cornwall)
Chillaton (Devon)
Drewsteignton (Devon)
Farway (Devon)
Filleigh (Devon)
Lydford (Devon)
Manaton (Devon)
Postbridge (Devon)
Rackenford (Devon)
Widecombe in the Moor (Devon)
Clayhanger (Dorset)
Leighterton (Gloucestershire)
Rodmarton (Gloucestershire)
Brompton Regis (Somerset)
Crowcombe (Somerset)
Lydeard St Lawrence (Somerset)
Oxenwood (Wiltshire)
Wylye (Wiltshire)
St Martins (Scilly Isles)
East Midlands Exchange Area
Thorpe Cloud (Derbyshire)