ICT and Broadband for the benefit of SMEs

 

 

 

Buckinghamshire has launched a major campaign to help the South East lead the technological advance with increased access to wireless broadband (public Wi-Fi hotspots). The ‘Hotspots e-Bucks campaign’ has been launched by the e-Bucks partnership led by Buckinghamshire County Council - one of nine partnerships launching a network of hotspots to help businesses connect to broadband and exploit the technology.

 

Speaking at the launch on 4^th October at the House of Spice Restaurant, Amy Festa from the e-Bucks Partnership said: “High-speed internet access is an increasingly decisive factor when people choose where to spend their leisure time, book a room, have a coffee or hold a business meeting.

 

“Broadband technology is a vital ingredient for reinvigorating communities, improving business competitiveness and the economy of the area. Businesses recognise this and we have had a huge response to our campaign in Buckinghamshire.”

Naz Choundhury, Proprietor of The House of Spice receiving his software from Chris Williams,Chief Executive of Bucks County Council

 

 

 

 

 

 

The regional initiative called ‘Hotspots South East’ is designed to help the South East of England lead the advance of wireless technology across the UK, so that businesses can compete on a global scale. 

 

There are nine sub-regional partnerships leading campaigns across the South East and the aim is to complete the hotspots network by December 2006. At this point, visitors to and residents of the region will never be more than a ten minute drive from a wireless broadband connection for work or leisure. 

 

The Hotspots e-Bucks campaign will make it even easier for local businesses to stay in touch and attain commercial success through a more widespread availability of wireless broadband technology. 

 

Local businesses are being targeted to make the most of their broadband connection and become a Hotspots host, including restaurants, hotels and cafes. Verve Venues in High Wycombe is an existing Hotspot that have benefited from being a Hotspot Host.

 

Graham Tunstall, General Manager of Verve Venues, said: “Being a Hotspot has enabled us to form stronger links with our neighbours; proving a valuable extension to the technology services available in the area. It has also raised our profile locally with guests being able to ‘touch down’ in comfort whilst away from their office, use our facilities and linger a little longer in our bar and lounges.”

 

Hotspot is the term for public spaces that are equipped with wireless Internet access. They are cropping up everywhere because demand is high and there is a compelling business argument for hosting a hotspot in all types of organisations. 

 

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) supports the campaign as part of its wider remit to enhance the social and economic development of the region. SEEDA’s Head of Programme Delivery, Peter Sinclair commented: “Hosting a hotspot affords a number of business advantages - attracting more customers and encouraging visitors to stay on site for longer. This can lead to increased revenue and profit and enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty. More importantly, this initiative is aligned to key themes in the new Regional Economic Strategy for the South East (RES) where broadband and ICT are identified as pivotal to accelerating business competitiveness, promoting greater innovation and championing smart, sustainable growth.”

 

Numbers of visitors to Buckinghamshire, and the whole of the South East, are expected to rise as a result of the campaign, which will also have a significant impact on the region’s economy. The spread of wireless internet access will also enable people to work flexibly and conveniently at home and on the move, reducing the need to commute.

 

Go to www.e-bucks.org.uk or call 01296 382651 for details.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

Fiona Keys or Gail Buckle at BOTTLE PR on 01865 882988

fionakeys@bottlepr.co.uk or gailbuckle@bottlepr.co.uk 

 

SEEDA is the Government funded agency responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK's economy. Our aim is to create a prosperous, dynamic and inspirational region by helping businesses compete more effectively, training a highly skilled workforce, supporting and enabling our communities while safeguarding our natural resources and cherishing our rich cultural heritage. www.seeda.co.uk & www.hotspotssoutheast.co.uk

 

The e-Bucks Partnership aims to accelerate the take up and exploitation of ICT and broadband to benefit small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), communities and citizens of Buckinghamshire. e-Bucks provides access to free broadband connection, specialist advice and funding to enable companies to maximise the opportunities available using broadband technology. 

 

The Partnership helps people harness the potential of broadband, offering, for example, connectivity grants to SMEs, free and impartial business advice (up to the value of £250) and grants to help businesses make the most of the technology available to them (up to the value of £200).

 

The scheme aims to share ideas and to help smaller businesses in order to promote Buckinghamshire on a global scale. To ensure businesses have state-of-the-art communication, the Partnership helps businesses improve their competitive advantage through e-messaging, e-marketing, e-ordering and sales and e-payments.