Updated November 2005
Launched January 2004
The contract was awarded by One NorthEast, to BT, following a competitive tender.
This was the first region-wide project, enabling 100 per cent of the exchanges in the region for broadband. It was launched in the region with the help of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon Tony Blair, and BT's Chief Executive, Ben Verwaayen, and One NorthEast Chairman, Margaret Fay.
As part of the £10million contract BT upgraded 87 exchanges between March 2004 and February 2005. When the roll-out was completed 99.8 per cent of the population are in reach of ADSL. A percentage of the region covered by these exchanges is rural, and the RDA explored and implemented alternative technologies such as satellite to achieve full coverage.
Margaret Fay, One NorthEast Chairman, said at the time of contract award: "This scheme will mean the North East leads the country in terms of urban and rural broadband infrastructure, helping to break down the barriers faced by people currently outside the reach of broadband.
"It will allow people to successfully work from home in rural areas, potentially starting new businesses and bringing opportunity into areas previously unable to take advantage of high speed internet services."
With availability of ADSL now at over 99% in the North East the main focus of the regional activity has been raising awareness of the benefits broadband and its applications can offer to users:
A series of broadband presentations at rural road shows explaining the benefits of broadband to the rural community
Seminars and business breakfasts were held by BT with regional business leaders to raise e-awareness
External press releases issued with One NorthEast to highlight exchange enablement. This is part of an ongoing PR campaign with One NorthEast to promote the broadband agenda.