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Disadvantaged families to benefit from broadband

A pilot broadband scheme, funded by the government, will go ahead next month.

The £300m ‘Broadband For All’ home access project is designed to ensure all school children have access to broadband. It is to be trialled in Suffolk and Oldham during February 2009, with 20,000 disadvantaged families set to benefit.

Five companies have been selected to supply the computer equipment for the broadband access programme, namely XMA, Centerprise International, Positive IT Solutions, RM Education and Stone Computers.

Households in the two pilot areas will be offered grants of up to £700 to enable them to access broadband.

“We need to ensure that every child has an equal chance to tap into the benefits of the internet to support their learning at home,” said chief executive of the government’s technology learning body http://www.becta.org.uk Becta, Steven Crowne.

As well as being highly beneficial for school children, the broadband scheme is likely to have spin-off educational benefits for parents.

This favourable view of Broadband For All was aired by schools minister Jim Knight at the educational technology event, on Thursday 15th January, http://www.bettshow.com” BETT at Olympia in London.

As reported by the Guardian, he said: “When we talk about education, we can’t just be thinking about school. Technology can be a Trojan horse for those parents, bringing knowledge, learning, and useful services direct into people’s homes.”

14/01/2009
Author: CompareBroadbandUK staff writer

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