July 2019 programme update

News from Connecting Shropshire on the following:

• Introduction from Cllr. Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for Organisational Transformation and Digital Infrastructure
• Contract 2 update – Openreach
• Contract 3 update – Airband
• Ofcom’s Broadband Safety Net to start in March 2020
• 93% superfast broadband coverage in the Shropshire Council area
• 5G update
• Update from Shropshire Libraries

To view, please click on the following link: http://connectingshropshire.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190709-Connecting-Shropshire-programme-update-July-2019-1.pdf

Business broadband grant scheme coming to an end

The Marches and Gloucestershire Broadband Grant scheme gives eligible businesses up to £25,000 to fund the capital costs of installing a superfast broadband connection. The Scheme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

If you run a business and are struggling to achieve the broadband connectivity you require, then you could be eligible for a grant.

To find out more, go to: http://connectingshropshire.co.uk/business-broadband-grant/

Registering for the grant is a simple and easy process, but all applications for the grant must be completed as soon as possible.

Case studies:

To find out how three Shropshire businesses have benefitted from the Grant Scheme, please click on the videos below:

Landscope engineering (business broadband provided by Secure Web Services):

Shropshire festivals:

Treflach farm:

Businesses can also benefit from further business support through the Marches Growth Hub and get access to free support from a Business Adviser. For more information, go to: https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/about-us/shropshire/

SWS Broadband update:

Shropshire company, Secure Web Services (SWS), continue to build their fixed wireless broadband network to extend coverage in the south-west of Shropshire.  In total, SWS now provides access to broadband for over 40,000 properties in Shropshire and Powys.

In March 2019, SWS Broadband was awarded Gold Accreditation by UKWISPA, the official trade body of WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers) in the UK, see: https://www.securewebservices.co.uk/sws-awarded-gold-accreditation/

If you’re looking for an alternative broadband service and want to check if your property is in SWS’s coverage area, please contact them on 0333 7000 227 or email: connect@swsbroadband.net

SWS case study: Asbatch Farm

This case study details the multiple benefits to a livestock farm in south Shropshire of being able to take a superfast broadband connection from Secure Web Services.

Please click the link to read more: 20181120 Asbatch Farm – CASE STUDY

Airband case study: site owner

This case study provides an insight into the experiences of a landowner who has given permission for Airband to install a transmitter on his land as part of the Connecting Shropshire broadband programme.

Please click the link: Airband case study site owner