40 businesses, local authorities and telecoms companies have come together to look at ways of improving broadband provision for homeowners and businesses across Norfolk.

Improving the provision of broadband is a major priority for the county, to ensure businesses remain competitive.

The workshop, hosted by Vicky Ford MEP and Cllr Ann Steward, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at Norfolk County Council organisedthe broadband workshop at Aviva’s Marble Hall in Norwich, to understand and decide the different options for broadband in Norfolk and a way forward in terms of technologies, pilots and funding opportunities.

Speakers at the workshop included representatives from T-Mobile, BT, Babcock, Digital Inclusion, East of England Development Agency, East of England Brussels Office, Shaping Norfolk’s Future and Norfolk County Council’s ICT department.

The workshop will feed into Shaping Norfolk’s Future’s work on developing a broadband strategy for Norfolk, and a consequent action plan to ensure Norfolk businesses and residents have access to reliable broadband.

To complement the work being carried out a new broadband website – www.broadbandnorfolk.com has been launched providing businesses and residents with information on what broadband is, where they can get it, the benefits and latest news and documents.

Campaign updates and how businesses and residents can be involved is also on the website.

Speakers at the event identified possible solutions ranging from satellite technology to mobile phone broadband as well as techniques to increase landline speed.

Vicky Ford MEP added "In an area as diverse as Norfolk it is clear that there is no one size fits all magic solution for broadband provision but that does not mean that Norfolk residents or businesses should be cut off from advanced communication.

By bringing leading experts to meet with local businesses and councils we discovered many different solutions that could be helpful across the county. We learnt about new developments in mobile and satellite broadband services as well as the possibility of sharing some of the public sector infrastructure in the more isolated parts of the county.

We heard about projects that are working well in other parts of the UK or overseas so there is the opportunity to import some good examples into Norfolk.

We also learnt of some good projects already working in parts of Norfolk which again could be more widely spread. At a time when money is tight we also started investigating possibilities for unlocking EU funding. Every participant came away with action points - there is a lot to do but the energy and enthusiasm is there to get it done.”

Ann Steward said “I think we all gained a great deal of benefit from this event and now feel much better informed about what the local issues are and the possible solutions. The good news is that the industry experts who spoke at the workshop were very positive and had lots of suggestions for what they can do to help. The next step is to take all the information we now have following the workshopand determine how the county council needs to respond and to work with partners to achieve the best outcome for our county.”

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