The Regional Broadband Partnership models propose a "sliding scale" of participation, as follows:
Model 1: Low Demand
When broadband infrastructure is in place but the take-up is low, an informal public private partnership is often best placed to create demand locally. In the past 12 months, BT has worked with public sector groups in Leeds, York, Cardiff, Bradford, Sheffield, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Nottingham and Liverpool to encourage take-up, and participated in "Switch on South Yorkshire" and "West Lancs Wired" projects.
Model 2: Bridging the Gap
In regions where broadband is not yet available but not far off a partnership can create demand locally through initiatives such as grants to community users and local marketing activity. Caerphilly, Newcastle and Yorkshire South Bank have all recently announced partnerships with BT that follow this model.
Model 3: Creating Demand
In regions where broadband is unlikely to arrive in the medium term, a more formal type of local intervention is needed. To create local demand the partnership will establish projects designed to support communities and businesses to exploit the benefits of Broadband, a well as provide grants and training support. Typically these projects include distance learning, home working and community projects. Regional Broadband Partnerships in Wiltshire and Hastings both follow this model.
Model 4: Non Commercial
In areas of low demand where previously it has been considered uneconomic to install broadband, a much higher degree of intervention is needed from both the private and public sectors. In addition to the measures outlined in Model 3, approved regional aid contributions are needed. Both the ACT NOW partnership established in May 2002 for Cornwall, and the more recent Highlands and Islands (Scotland) partnership are examples of this model, and were supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund's Objective One programme.
Model 5: Direct Investment
Public sector participation on the supply side (via competitive tender) is proposed only to address those areas where market conditions are unlikely to provide Broadband access. The exchanges involved tend to be very small or remote. Both Lyndhurst (New Forest) and Burnham Market (Norfolk) required direct investment of this kind.