Rural broadband on the horizon

RURAL communities and businesses in Kirklees could benefit from a scheme which could provide better broadband access.

Council chiefs say those who do not have access to computers and the internet are disadvantaged because they cannot find out about local jobs or access online services.

In some cases businesses are forced to move to urban areas.

Now Kirklees Council is considering linking up with Rutland Telecom to look at how access could be improved in the Denby Dale area.

If the findings are positive, other rural areas of Kirklees could benefit. A report to be considered by members of the council’s cabinet committee today says: “There are a number of reasons why people in Kirklees might be digitally excluded and in the rural areas this is often because broadband access is just not good enough.

“This has come up in several of the locality plans and area committees have also raised it.”

If members of the council’s cabinet committee give their backing to the idea officers and Rutland Telecom will work with members of the community in Denby Dale to draw-up more detailed plans and costings.

The report says Denby Dale and other rural parts of Kirklees all have a number of workers who commute into the Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley, Leeds and Sheffield areas.

It is hoped that offering good broadband access will encourage more small businesses to base themselves in the Denby Dale area.

The report says there will be a number of benefits: “The ability to access high quality broadband services promotes flexible working and teleworking functionality, leading to reduced transportation journeys and associated benefits in carbon emission reduction, as well as promoting the wellbeing and security of residents and supporting the local economy through higher day occupancy rates of homes.

“In times of recession, the ability to work from home or remain in touch with colleagues electronically promotes job security, and in the event of job losses the ability to send/receive recruitment information and interact with online job search or training programmes is invaluable.”

An initial feasibility study has been carried out by Rutland.

It proposes using its technology to tap into street cabinets and deliver high speed broadband over existing cables into homes and businesses.

In addition to delivering next generation broadband to poorly supported localities across the borough, the reports says the new technology is potentially attractive for a number of other reasons:

n It would let the council drive forward next generation broadband.

n Would act as a stimulus to promote and attract local and new businesses in rural areas.

n It could provide employment and job creation opportunities for local businesses or co- operatives who could be involved in the ongoing support and maintenance of the technology.

n Could potentially stimulate greater competition in the supply of next generation broadband across Kirklees as established communications providers would be prompted to react sooner than they would otherwise.

n If successful, the scheme could be rolled out to other parts of the borough.

n It would satisfy a clear need for broadband from some communities, particularly rural communities like Denby Dale, where people say innovation is being stifled through lack of service.

Council officers are recommending that councillors agree with their recommendations that plans for the scheme be investigated further.

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