Newcastle the first to `go digital’

Newcastle is claiming the bragging rights for being first out of the blocks to implement its share of the Urban Broadband Fund, which is putting money into the SuperConnected Cities Programme (SCCP) which aims to get super-fast broadband services into 22 cities around the UK.

This first implementation, called `Go Digital Newcastle’, calls for the installation of superfast fibre broadband across the city so that 97 percent of the population has access by 2015.  There will be free Wi-Fi in Newcastle City Centre, a cloud computing centre, business connection vouchers and a business support programme.

This has the potential to build a virtuous circle of businesses offering services of many kinds, and consumers able to consume them. As well as Newcastle, the cities selected for the scheme include Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Derry/Londonderry,  Edinburgh, Leeds, London – which hassix boroughs now and all of London soon – Manchester, Newport, Oxford, Perth, Portsmouth, Salford and York.  

And there is, as the saying goes, money in them there hills. The UK Broadband Impact Study published this year by analysts SQW concluded for every £1 invested in broadband by government the UK economy will benefit by £20.

It also has to be observed that such an investment return stands up well against any returns that investments in HS2 might produce, are certainly attainable more quickly and cost-effectively, and can be implemented in far more places than HS2 is ever likely to reach. Most of these cities are nowhere near the planned HS2 route map.

Newcastle Council leader Cllr Nick Forbes said: “Superfast broadband can help turn local heroes into superheroes – our city-based businesses can use the faster speeds to reach new markets and products and compete on both a national and international scale. The economic benefits to the city will be significant and further cement Newcastle’s reputation as an exciting place to live and work.

“Go Digital Newcastle will boost the local economy and help create and protect local jobs.”

Newcastle is one of 22 super-connected cities where small businesses (SMEs), charities and social enterprises can apply for connection vouchers worth up to £3,000 to get connected to high speed/high grade broadband with one of nearly two hundred registered suppliers.

Local businesses, charities and social enterprises are being urged to sign up for a connection voucher. These are intended to promote the idea of conducting business in the cloud and open up new business opportunities for their organisations. They will also be able to benefit from a free business support programme offering digital master classes and workshops, delivered by BE Group.

Visitors to the city and people needing internet access while on the move will have access to free Wi-Fi across the city, in both public buildings and in the high streets. There are also plans to bring it onto the Newcastle Metro.

Newcastle householders will also benefit if they choose to upgrade to fibre broadband at home. Superfast connection speeds mean everyone in the family can connect at the same time to download HD movies, file share, access public services and use social media services.

Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne Central said Newcastle needs to be at the heart of the digital economy and Go Digital Newcastle’s superfast broadband has a critical part to play.

“Good connections bring huge benefits to people both in their work and in their home life – in today’s fast-moving world, they’re a necessity rather than a luxury,” she said. “They will make Newcastle even more attractive to organisations looking for a base with world-class connections, while enhancing the activities of our local businesses, helping create and safeguard jobs.”

Under the Go Digital Newcastle initiative, BT was awarded the contract to deploy fibre broadband across the city, delivering speeds of up to 80Mbps. Most businesses and homes will be able to access 30Mbps or higher.

The network will be open to all communications providers on an equal wholesale basis, so householders and businesses will benefit from a highly competitive market.

Around £9m of public funding is being put into Go Digital Newcastle.  Funding comes from the Local/Rural Broadband Programme, co-funded by the Council, the Government and BT. BT is investing £1.89m, with the Council investing £970,000 plus £970,000 from the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK)Local/Rural Broadband Programme fund.