Launched November 2004
Updated September 2005
The Hampshire Broadband Forum is steering this project, led by the County Council and Winchester City Council. It is a partnership between local authorities, broadband providers such as BT and NTL, the Business Matchmaker's - Wired Wessex, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), local chambers of commerce, Business Link and community groups.
The official launch of the Hampshire Broadband Project took place in December 2004 at Winchester Guildhall. This is a 3 year programme designed to provide a support system and knowledge network for all broadband users in Hampshire.
The partnership has a strong community approach and touches most districts in the county.
A grant scheme to help local businesses towards the cost of broadband was unveiled at the launch.
The project is providing grants of £100 to businesses connecting to Broadband for the first time, and grants for eLearning courses connected with ICT. All companies receiving grants must attend a business advice seminar.
Hampshire County Council's executive member for economic development - councillor Michael Woodhall said: "We are delighted that a wide range of public and private sector organisations have committed substantial funding and support for this vital project.
"The grants, advice and local support offered by Hampshire Broadband will play a vital role in assisting thousands of small businesses, organisations and home users in the county make the most of the communications revolution."
Further information is available on the Hampshire Broadband website - http://www.hampshirebroadband.org
Partners show off their Hampshire Broadband t-shirts: (l-r) Wired Wessex executive manager Emma Shears; BT regional partnership manager for the South East Iain Duffin; Forge Trading UK managing director Keith Howells; and Richard Lawrence from Winchester City Council's economic development department