Broadband

• Broadband
• Community owned enterprise

High-Speed Broadband for Gloucestershire

The Borders Broadband Project:

High-speed broadband for Gloucestershire’s rural communities is the aim set out by the Borders Broadband project. Borders Broadband is a £14.4 million initiative to secure private investment in a new fast rural broadband infrastructure. The project is managed by GFirst (Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership), Gloucestershire County Council, Herefordshire Council and Broadband Delivery UK. To read more about the project please visit the GFirst website by clicking here.

Public funding is being used to attract a commercial telecoms supplier and persuade them there is significant demand for fast broadband in rural Gloucestershire. Improved internet services will be introduced initially in the Forest of Dean and south Herefordshire from later this year (2012), and then extended to rural communities in both counties by. 

How is GRCC involved?

From October 2011 through to February 2012 GRCC has been involved in developing, distributing and analysing a household survey. The survey has enabled residents to provide the evidence of need and demand for faster broadband locally. To get the message out locally and ensure communities are aware of what is happening, we recruited and worked with a network of volunteer Broadband Champions.

The household survey closed in early February, and the results are now being used by GFirst in the procurement negotiations which will lead to the awarding of a contract to a telecom provider who will then be responsible for upgrading Gloucestershire's broadband network. Gloucestershire communities responded magnificently to the survey and this success can only be attributed to the fantastic effort and perseverance of the Broadband Champions.

Residents in Gloucestershire's rural communities can continue to hear the most up to date information about the project by visiting www.gfirst.co.uk/broadband. Through clicking this link individuals can also register their interest in recieving more information about the project.

A separate survey is still available for businesses to have their say on the project please visit www.gfirst.co.uk/broadband to learn more.

Local Broadband Champions

If you would like to learn more about Broadband Champions or would be interested in volunteering within your community, please contact Chris Cowcher on 01452 528491 or christopherc@grcc.org.uk.