Launched on March 31st 2004
Update: November 2005
Derbyshire County Council, other local strategic partnerships, Derby University and private information and communications technology companies including BT are among the partners in the venture, along with the county's Business Links and Chambers of Commerce.
The Derbyshire Broadband Partnership aims to:
Extend the coverage of broadband in the county so that it includes rural areas and other broadband 'black spots'
Drive the take-up of broadband across all technologies through 'demand stimulation'
As a demonstration of BT's commitment to the £3 million Derbyshire Broadband Partnership campaign, the company accelerated its exchange upgrade programme to make broadband available at four more exchanges in the county. The exchanges were located at Baslow, Darley Dale, Hathersage, and Tideswell and together they serve almost 7000 homes and businesses.
In December 2004, the Derbyshire Broadband Partnership celebrated an important milestone when the last one of the four exchanges brought forward for early enablement by BT, was switched on for broadband. The exchange at Darley Dale went live for broadband on 22nd December and serves on its own around 3,000 homes and businesses in the Darley Dale area.
Councillor Geoff Carlile, cabinet member for regeneration said: “I'm delighted that our combined work means that people throughout the county can now keep up-to-date with computer technology to benefit their working and home lives. Broadband is a faster connection and it doesn't tie up your phone-line so there are lots of advantages for business and personal users. I urge people to switch on to broadband and see what a difference it can make.”
The partnership is planning a number of activities designed to increase the take-up of broadband as well as increasing awareness of the capabilities of broadband to business and the community.