W3Z : Wireless Broadband from Zycomm : News : Press Centre

When 'cheap' broadband is expensive...
Money Mail - The Daily Mail - Wednesday 22nd February 2006
By Justin Harper
The hidden costs of many cheap broadband internet providers could turn your bargin deal into one of the most expensive.

To read more click on the link above to download the PDF copy of the article, requires Acrobat Reader.

Broadband success for Digital Wirksworth
Less than a year after the launching of the Digital Wirksworth campaign group, members are celebrating the arrival of broadband in the town and surrounding villages... (Article on Help Is At Hand, UKonline Centres. Launches in a new window).

Extract from December Digital Wirksworth Newsletter

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM DIGITAL WIRKSWORTH
DIGITAL WIRKSWORTH NEWS 29 DECEMBER 2003.

The Digital Wirksworth campaign group wishes all readers of the newsletter our best Seasons Greetings. We were all able to celebrate Christmas knowing that broadband (via wireless) is up and running already in much of our area and that plans are well underway for further coverage. This has only been achieved as a result of a widespread support throughout the area, which demonstrated the demand to commercial providers and public authorities alike.

Thanks to everyone who supported the campaign! Just a few of the people concerned can be seen at the web site http://www.digital-wirksworth.org.uk/intro.html

OVER 100 WIRELESS BROADBAND USERS ALREADY!
By Christmas Eve Zycomm / W3Z reported to Wirksworth Connect that 106 customers were connected to wireless broadband in our area. They have all benefited from the subsidized set-up costs funded by grant aid through Wirksworth Connect. Nice work Zycomm!

BROADBAND SET-UP GRANTS GOING FAST
Wirksworth Connect Wireless Broadband set-up subsidies reduce the cost of setting up for wireless broadband from £199 to only £50. In addition to the 106 connected customers another 74 people have applied and are waiting for service to be installed early in 2004. This means that only 45 grants remain to be claimed! When the grant is gone it is gone! Set-up costs will return to £199! To take advantage of the grant register with Zycomm. You will then be sent an application form. You must return this form to Zycomm to secure the grant.

INTEREST FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
Since setting up the broadband subsidy scheme there has been interest from other rural areas across the country and a booklet is being put together about the way that people worked together to achieve broadband for the area. If you have contributions or quotes to be added please email them to info@digital-wirksworth.org.uk

NOW WE HAVE BROADBAND.
Digital Wirksworth has the aim of promoting digital opportunities generally for people and businesses in the area. Now that broadband is a reality we are looking to put together an event in early Spring to take this a next stage. Ideas so far have included:

· Community Website (www.wirksworth.net)
· Small Business Forum
· Promoting Public Internet Access Points in the area
· Workshops on getting the best from Broadband
· Community radio station running for one month a year.

Any ideas for the event very welcome - please contact info@digital-wirksworth.org.uk

BROADBAND FROM BT
We understand that BT still intend to enable Wirksworth exchange for ADSL Broadband in early 2004. It is unlikely that this service will reach locations more that 6kms of cable from the exchange.

WHO IS WHO
It may help to clarify the roles of key organisations in the Broadband process: www.digital-wirksworth.org.uk - broad based campaign acting to promote digital opportunities in the area. Launched November 2002 - first task clearly focuses on obtaining broadband for the area.

Now looking to other aspects of its aims. www.wirksworthconnect.co.uk Not for profit company formally established to apply for grant aid to support the establishment of broadband in the area www.W3Z.co.uk (Zycomm Ltd of Ripley) Locally-based commercial wireless broadband supplier chosen by Wirksworth Connect in a rigorous selection process to operate the Wireless Broadband subsidy scheme in the area.

Rabbit - Rural access to Broadband Inclusion Trial
The publicly funded organisation which provided grant aid to Wirksworth Connect.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
DIGITAL WIRKSWORTH NEWS
www.digital-wirksworth.org.uk

This newsletter comes from the Digital Wirksworth campaign group.