Council seeks to improve District’s broadband coverage

Press Release: 29/07/2010

Winchester City Council and the eHampshire Partnership are seeking views on broadband internet access across the District.

A short survey has been made available for Winchester District residents and businesses. It will help to measure the level of demand for better broadband. The survey asks for details of current internet speeds, and seeks views on what you would pay for faster access to the World Wide Web.

The results of the survey will be mapped, and overlaid onto an existing map of not-spots – a term to describe areas with very poor broadband access. This will identify the areas which require higher speed broadband access.

The evidence that is gathered will be used to lobby internet service providers, and those providing internet infrastructure, to provide a better service to Winchester.

Cllr Dominic Hiscock, Portfolio Holder for Economic Prosperity at Winchester City Council, is keen to make internet access better for everyone. He said: "Almost everyone uses the internet for something, and more and more people are working from home in rural areas. We need faster broadband access in these areas to keep the local economy thriving, but we need to prove that there is demand for this service out there."

Glenn Peacey, eHampshire Manager, encourages all Winchester residents and businesses to take part: "This survey has already been undertaken in Basingstoke, where we have worked in conjunction with BT Openreach to provide better broadband infrastructure for residents. The Winchester survey results are a vital tool for us to demonstrate to providers that there is a demand for better broadband in rural areas."

You can access the survey at http://www.ehampshire.org/winchester/c-339 which also has a tool to measure your current broadband speed. In addition, you can email more general comments to Kate Cloud, Economic Development Manager, at ecdev@winchester.gov.uk or telephone 01962 848 563.