Rim Semiconductor Company (fka RSMI)

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First successes in broadband contest
26 February 2003

BILL WOODCOCK, EDP BUSINESS EDITOR

East Anglia's regional development agency has identified Diss as one of the first sites to qualify for high-speed broadband internet services under its Demand Broadband Campaign.

Companies supplying broadband services will be invited through the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) to apply to provide the service, which provides fast internet connections to businesses.

Firms and individuals in six Eastern counties were invited to register their interest on a broadband brokerage website run by EEDA.

Mason Communications, the telecom-munications adviser running the service for EEDA, said Diss and Felaw Maltings – a business start-up centre in Ipswich – were the first clusters of demand to be identified in the region.

Diss mixes both business and residential broadband demand while Felaw Maltings, with more than 60 businesses in one building, serves the need of the resident companies.

EEDA said that with more than 8000 registrations so far, the website was providing information to potential broadband suppliers on areas of demand across the region.

The agency provides the figures to network providers who can then decide whether to make a bid to supply broadband.

Alongside its website, EEDA is also running a "connecting communities" competition which gives businesses and communities the chance to bid for part of a £3m fund to get broadband supplied to them.

Stuart Cowie, of Mason Communications, said: "The information provided via the competition and the broadband brokerage is essential in judging the viability of supplying a service in a particular area."

Mason Communications has a long list of suppliers ready to meet demand.

E-commerce minister Stephen Timms said: "The number of registrations on the Demand Broadband site shows the level of enthusiasm for these technologies among both businesses and consumers. The more this demand is demonstrated, the further broadband will spread, opening up access to everyone in every part of the UK."

Mr Timms added that with providers being given the chance to bid for ready-made markets, EEDA's project was also driving forward broadband in the UK.

Yesterday, major broadband companies joined smaller suppliers to hear about opport-unities to provide their services in the region.

Broadband supply organisations can join EEDA's brokerage service by contacting Mason Communications on 0161 772 8161 or by e-mail: [e-mail]

As soon as new clusters of demand are identified, information will be passed to all those suppliers registered with Masons.

To enter the competition or to register demand for broadband, log on to www.demandbroadband.com or call the EEDA broadband helpline on 0845 601 8824.

Aylsham businesses who want broadband internet access are being urged to attend a meeting tonight.

David Higgins, consultant for the Aylsham bidding group, is giving a free presentation at the Town Hall from 5.30pm to 7pm. He will explain how broadband access will be achieved and take a question and answer session. E-mail contact [e-mail]
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