High-speed broadband hailed as improved value-for-money

The Yorkshire Post reported on Friday that more than 550 schools, care centres, libraries and council offices across North Yorkshire have benefited from the completion of the 42m scheme to roll out the broadband service, which was completed last week.

Other advantages include cheap internet access for library customers and greater opportunity for on-line learning and support in some 350 schools.

County Council chiefs say they are delighted the dream of high-speed broadband to provide some of the fastest connections in the country has been completed not only on schedule but within budget.

The county's pioneering hi- tech company NYnet was given the job of ensuring council sites could receive core broadband speeds as much as 60 times faster than before, with 35 per cent more bandwidth, at no extra cost.

David Sadler, the Council's assistant director in charge of ICT Services, said: "As a result of the NYnet connection, the Council has been able to deliver massively improved services to the public across North Yorkshire. NYnet is a unique technology enterprise which has made a real difference to the economic and social fortunes of the county providing the latest broadband technology at no extra cost.

"The increased efficiencies made possible through NYnet's technology such as shared council services, and back office functions, has provided excellent value for money and delivered huge cost savings."

NYnet now provides high-speed broadband connections to nearly 80 per cent of public sector services in the county including offices, schools, libraries, and 15 fire service sites across North Yorkshire. The 350 schools to benefit include St Aidan's School in Harrogate, Arkengarthdale School, near Richmond, and Lady Lumley's School in Pickering.

Lady Lumley's is one of many county schools that previously suffered from a very sluggish and faltering broadband connection, meaning that teachers were reluctant to turn to the net for resources.

Faster and more reliable access has improved learning and teaching and has let the school establish a network that lets students and teachers communicate with each other up to 24 hours a day if they want to.

Derek Simpson, network manager at Lady Lumley's School, said: "The NYnet network has moved us into the 21st century. I don't know how we would operate without it now.

"The benefits of the system became immediately apparent during the recent ash cloud crisis which saw six teachers stranded abroad but able to keep in touch with pupils and colleagues via the virtual learning environment."

North Yorkshire's libraries are also benefiting from the connection which has seen 44 sites connected to the high-speed network enabling libraries to offer customers free or low cost computer access. Better broadband also lets library users find online reference material more easily.

They can also request books using a website and renew them on line, reducing the risk of fines.

NYnet chief executive David Cullen said: "The next generation network will provide the council with the flexibility and capacity needed to meet the IT requirements of the future and to offer exciting new services such as high-quality video conferencing.

"But what matters most to all of us in the company is the overwhelmingly positive response from customers and benefits we are bringing to communities across North Yorkshire," he added.