South West Regional Development Agency

Area Team: Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole

A new scheme to promote the benefits of broadband has reached the end of its first year (April 05 - April 06) and has exceeded its expected target with more than 654 people across Dorset being helped to develop their ICT skills.  
 
The £1.9 million project received a £700,000 investment from The South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA) to raise awareness of the benefits of broadband to more than 2000 businesses over the next two years. So far the project has exceeded its 2005 - 2006 outputs. 
 
More than 1500 businesses have been informed of the benefits of broadband and through the Xpand programme 650 businesses across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole have been helped to improve their performance.  
 
Bruce Voss, Head of Operations for the South West RDA says of the initiative, "Companies that have taken up broadband as a result of the project are reaping the benefits that technology can bring, helping them keep ahead of their competitors and in turn, boosting Dorset's economy. I am pleased to say that although we are only half way through and we have already exceeded our expectations." 
 
The project will continue to improve awareness of broadband, increase take-up by local businesses, build the capability of local communities to access broadband increase the take-up of e-government services and develop the ICT needs of local employees. 
 
James Cope, Programme Manager, Business Link Wessex says; "This is an exciting initiative for Dorset businesses, one that can really help improve the bottom line. The project has stimulated greater connectivity and adoption of ICT technologies, has enabled greater flexibilities in working remotely and encouraged e-learning.