Co-ops pioneer broadband move

CO-OPERATIVES are leading the way in introducing communities to advanced broadband technology.
Malcolm Corbett, founder member of the Community Broadband Network, opened a fringe meeting at Congress looking at some examples of areas embracing new technologies.
He cited Eastserve, formed in a deprived area of Manchester, which is getting ready to launch its own radio station across the internet and Alston Cybermoor, which has a video on demand service.
Alston has also launched one of the most successful wireless broadband networks in the UK, with 31 per cent of the area&#039s population connected to the exchange ? shadowing a national average of 12 per cent.
Andy Love, Labour/Co-op MP for Edmonton and chair of the meeting, said: "People don&#039t understand the potentials of broadband. Especially developing it for community use through co-operatives."
Calder Connect Co-operative (3C), based in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, was one of the first community broadband co-op providers in the UK. Its secretary Anne Handley thanked co-operators for their support. She said: "Collective efforts from people in the community and the Co-operative Movement has helped our cause.
"We established ourself as a virtual internet service provider and received a lot of support from the Phone Co-op, which is where we buy our broadband connections.
"The Industrial Common Ownership Fund (ICOF) loan we received was a great boost because it showed that they believed we had a viable business plan. United Co-operatives has also dedicated support and promised future funding."
For further information on the Community Broadband Network visit www.broadband-uk.coop.