Launched February 2004
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PartnersThe partnership is led by Kent County Council, South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA), Kent Business Link, Federation Of Small Business, Kent District & Borough Councils, the Kent Messenger Group and BT |
The formal launch of this partnership was the culmination of an approach that was first unveiled by Kent County Council leader Sandy Bruce-Lockhart and BT Retail chief executive Pierre Danon in November 2002.
The stated ambition for this partnership is to create and deliver sustainable initiatives in the communities of business, citizens, learners and government by intervening to improve the availability, provision, take up and usage of Broadband services. By doing this to deliver measurable benefits for businesses and individuals and create a vibrant, commercially sustainable broadband market in Kent.
As a demonstration of commitment to this project BT brought forward the enablement dates for Southfleet, St Margaret's Bay, Cheriton and Otham telephone exchanges to deliver broadband. That meant another 10,000 homes and businesses in Kent were able to access broadband services.
Introduced a logo and branding for the partnership (Connecting Kent - "Make The Jump To Broadband") - launched at the Kent County Show 2004.
Web pages created and partnership domain name purchased
Pilot activity mailing businesses to stimulate take-up.
Public internet / broadband usage survey commissioned for Q4 2004 - 4,560 respondents across the county giving valuable information to target activity in the future.
Plans in place to also run a business survey via partnership (Business Link Kent, FSB & Kent Business)
Pilot activity in schools using internet access to content by pupils expanded, generating demand for broadband at home.
Affinity scheme set up via LEA on their web-site - central pot of money to be used to support further activity.
Wireless hotspot pilots in two libraries (Sandwich and Allington)
New contract for vastly expanded schools network just signed. The partnership will; be exploring the possibility of using this to bring broadband to communities that are not yet covered.