A roundup of what’s been going on in the programme during November

Exchange area map and fibre broadband availability checker Our online map and checker makes it easier for people to find out the availability of fibre broadband in their area, down to premises level.  See: http://connectingshropshire.co.uk/when-and-where/

Putting up new poles On a particularly cold, wet and windy Monday in November, Openreach were putting up a new pole in the Corvedale to take a fibre optic cable as part of the Connecting Shropshire programme. Mostly the new fibre cables are put down Openreach’s existing ducts, because it’s more cost effective and they’re more protected from disruption. However, there are instances where fibre cable is put on poles, usually where there is no ducting available.

Spreading the word… We’ve started to put out some roadside signs on the entrance to towns and villages that now have access to fibre optic broadband as a result of the work of Connecting Shropshire.  The idea is that these will be in place for a couple of months, then moved around to other locations to highlight availability for local residents, but also to alert passers-by about the Connecting Shropshire programme.  Here is one from Cross Houses, and we’ve also done the same in Albrighton, Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer, Cross Lane Head, Halfway House, Minsterley and Quatford.

Optimising Business Broadband (OBB)                                        

The Optimising Business Broadband project is nearing the end of its successful run of events for 2014 but there are many more workshops, webinars and joint events planned for 2015.

The Christmas holidays are the perfect time to look at the resources available on the website and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, we’re nearing our first 1,000 followers. There are 26 free documents and workbook downloads covering most digital media subjects, our webinars are now available to watch as YouTube videos and if you want some key tips from any of our events, there will soon be a blog from each one. There are also spaces available to sign up for the 1:1 consultancy.

Feedback from Hunter Bevan, a graphic design company about their experience of the OBB 1:1 business consultancy:

“I just wanted to write you a note to say how happy I was with the consultancy visit I had yesterday. We covered a lot of areas and you have opened our eyes to the ways in which we can develop the business, improve security and the robustness of our broadband connection and enhance our offer to clients as a result.”

Website:          www.optimisingbusinessbroadband.co.uk
Twitter:           @OBBshropstaffs

Women and Broadband project The Women and Broadband project is continuing to deliver courses to women in business. All of the eight events run so far have been well-received with comments like: “This is truly unique opportunity and I implore all women establishing a business to attend” and “I think these courses are absolutely brilliant, we can learn so much and inspire each other’s businesses” There are still spaces available at events in 2015, including Cloud Computing for Business on 5 February in Cleobury Mortimer. To find out more and book a place, please visit the website: www.wirechallenge.org/

General information

To connect to fibre broadband, people need to contact their chosen internet service provider to upgrade their broadband package, the broadband speeds won’t increase automatically.

Not all premises in an exchange area will get access to fibre broadband and not all premises served by a fibre cabinet will necessarily get access to faster broadband. Not all cabinets in an exchange area will necessarily be fibre enabled.

Christmas time

Please be advised that the programme office will be closed from 24th December to 4th January, inclusive.