Connection Vouchers Scheme Extended to Parts of Oldham

The government funded Connection Vouchers Scheme has been extended to include some parts of Oldham and Stockport.

The parts of Oldham included for the first time are Broadway Business Park, Brookgate Business Park and Greengate Industrial Estate at Chadderton and Salmon Fields Business Village at Royton.
The scheme provides grants of between £100 and £3000 for the cost of connection of faster broadband service and runs until March 2015.
Other areas of Oldham are not covered by this scheme but in many cases Plum Communications offer Free Installation to customers taking service on contracts between one and three years.

Advantages of Faster Broadband

Businesses adopting Faster Broadband have found that the benefits are:

• A stronger ability to work collaboratively on projects with other groups within an organisation or with external organisations
• The capability to upload and download large multi media files, making user and customer experiences easier and more streamlined
• The ability to link up separate work sites and remote workers

Does My Business Qualify for the Connection Voucher Scheme?

Each business or organisation will have the chance of receiving the vouchers valued from £100 up to £3000 if they meet the required criteria for eligibility. If you are wondering whether or not your business qualifies for the Connection Vouchers Scheme then have a look below at some of the qualifying conditions. This list is not exhaustive so please speak to a member of the Plum Communications team to find out more information on eligibility.

• Connections must cost over £100
• The connection must indicate a step change in connectivity
• Contract duration must be for at least six months
• Small to Medium sized Enterprise need to meet the same definition as defined by the European Commission
• You must be located in a local authority of one of the SuperConnected Cities
• There are other conditions which also apply, please see guidance from your Local Authority on this as there are different rules for each city

How Do I Begin the Process?

• Firstly contact Plum Communications for a quotation or estimate and an initial check on whether you may qualify for the scheme
• You will then need to submit your application and quotation or estimate online
• If your application is successful and you receive a voucher or conditional offer letter you will place your order with us at Plum Communications
• You will be responsible for payment of VAT and the invoice amount less the voucher amount and you will send the invoice and claim form to your local authority for payment of the voucher amount

The Connection Voucher will contribute to or cover the initial installation cost. Connection costs in excess of £3000 and ongoing costs are not covered by the grant and your business will have to pay for those. If you are not in a SuperConnected City or do not qualify for a voucher we may still be able to offer free or reduced price installation.

List of SuperConnected Cities as of 3 June 2014: Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford/Leeds, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Derry/Londonderry, Edinburgh, London, Manchester/Salford, Newcastle, Newport, Nottingham, Oxford, Perth, Portsmouth, York.


Sources
https://www.connectionvouchers.co.uk/
http://www.plumcom.co.uk/cvs.php

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Wayne Hemingway and Steph McGovern inspired businesses at a Superfast Summit

WAYNE Hemingway MBE and broadcaster Steph McGovern headlined an event that encouraged Newcastle businesses to make more of the internet to reach customers and boost the local economy.

Wayne, co-founder of Red or Dead and multi-disciplinary HemingwayDesign - was the keynote speaker at the Go Digital Newcastle Superfast Summit – an event to promote the funding and free support available as part of Go Digital Newcastle, a campaign to deliver superfast broadband to 97pc of the city by summer 2015.

TV journalist Steph hosted the event and shared anecdotes from across the country including companies struggling with slow internet speeds and employers across a range of sectors facing a digital skills shortage.

Wayne told a packed audience how he and his wife Gerardine began their business empire with a market stall on Camden Market - growing Red or Dead into a global brand and selling it 19 years later for a significant sum.

The 53-year-old addressed the issue of how the digital arena has since opened up a world of opportunities for businesses, and how he and Gerardine have used those opportunities to further grow the many strands of their businesses, including HemingwayDigital, a division of the renowned and award-winning Hemingway Design.

Wayne said: “Digitally enhanced communities are creative, innovative and exciting places to be and live, they enrich people’s lives.

“Those who use the internet well are those who know that it’s not just about what you sell, it’s about the people you sell to, it’s their lifestyles that are important.

“Online videos are a brilliant tool for businesses, councils and charities – they are low cost and have the potential to reach a huge audience.

“The most successful brands are the ones that give people something they can use or share with others, things like videos, posters and pictures.

“People respond to generosity, the world isn’t a nasty place, there are some nasty people but 99pc of people are decent folk.”

Wayne also highlighted HemingwayDesign’s hugely popular The Vintage Festival, which celebrates the best of British music, fashion, film, art and design, and he shared details of how The Vintage Festival has reached hundreds of thousands of people purely using social media.

Further Information:

Plum Communications are a registered supplier for the Connection Voucher Scheme which provides contribution of up to £3000 towards installation costs of high speed broadband for qualifying businesses subject to postcode area and acceptance on the scheme.

http://plumcom.uk/cvs.php

http://www.godigitalnewcastle.co.uk/news/wayne-hemingway-inspires-newcastle-businesses-superfast-event

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Connection Vouchers Scheme For Faster Broadband

Plum Communications is now registered as a supplier with the new government funded Connection Vouchers Scheme to help UK businesses gain access to faster broadband speeds. The scheme opens the doors to companies who require a faster connection in order to improve their business. Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) is the government agency which manages a range of different broadband funds. It is also the body in charge of the Connection Vouchers scheme which runs up until March 2015.

Advantages Of Faster Broadband

The aim of the scheme is to provide the following kinds of service to businesses, charities and other enterprises in the UK:

• A stronger ability to work collaboratively on projects with other groups within an organisation or with external organisations
• The capability to upload and download large multi media files, making user and customer experiences easier and more streamlined
• The ability to link up separate work sites and remote workers

Does My Business Qualify For The Connection Voucher Scheme?

Each business or organisation will have the chance of receiving the vouchers valued from £250 up to £3000 if they meet the required criteria for eligibility. If you are wondering whether or not your business qualifies for the Connection Vouchers Scheme then have a look below at some of the qualifying conditions. This list is not exhaustive so please speak to a member of the Plum Communications team to find out more information on eligibility.

• Connections must cost over £200
• The connection must indicate a step change in connectivity
• Contract duration must be for at least six months
• Small to Medium sized Enterprise need to meet the same definition as defined by the European Commission
• You must be located in a local authority of one of the SuperConnected Cities
• There are other conditions which also apply, please see guidance from your Local Authority on this as there are different rules for each city

How Do I Begin The Process?

• Firstly contact Plum Communications for a quotation or estimate and an initial check on whether you may qualify for the scheme
• You will then need to submit your application and quotation or estimate online
• If your application is successful and you receive a voucher or conditional offer letter you will place your order with us at Plum Communications
• You will be responsible for payment of VAT and the invoice amount less the voucher amount and you will send the invoice and claim form to your local authority for payment of the voucher amount

The Connection Voucher will contribute to or cover the initial installation cost. Connection costs in excess of £3000 and ongoing costs are not covered by the grant and your business will have to pay for those. If you are not in a SuperConnected City or do not qualify for a voucher we may be able to offer a reduced price installation by amortising the cost over the duration of the contract.

List of SuperConnected Cities as of 3 June 2014: Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford/Leeds, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Derry/Londonderry, Edinburgh, London, Manchester/Salford, Newcastle, Newport, Nottingham, Oxford, Perth, Portsmouth, York.

Sources
https://www.connectionvouchers.co.uk/
http://www.plumcom.co.uk/cvs.php

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Campaigners Urge Government To Create National Broadband Plan

Pressure is being put on the government to produce a broadband plan for the UK which will position it amongst some of the leading countries, placing digital architecture and mobile communication at the centre of some of their policies.

Broadband campaigners, Digital Business First, have received signatures from businesses who support the concept of a new plan and who believe that a plan will help determine positive economic growth for the country. 

Other Countries Committed To A Digital Plan

The Digital Business First campaigners highlight that other countries are investing heavily and wisely into broadband capabilities, with France and South Korea being two countries which the UK is being compared to. 

France has billions stored for investment in broadband and hopes to have 100 Mbps coverage by 2023, while South Korea began investment into broadband connectivity decades ago which has now allowed the country to be able to plan for 1 Gbps coverage for the vast majority of its population by 2017.

National Broadband Plan

A report written by the organisation contains details of what a National Broadband Plan (NBP) should encompass for the UK, including several clear objectives, including the requirement for a 1000Mbps/1Gbps provision across the country by 2017; the need for a Regulatory Review and also 4G coverage for 98% of the population as well as signal strength of 10Mbps. It also outlines the need for ‘5G’ to be a priority.

Broadband For Businesses

A 2014 report also states that the use of broadband by both individuals and businesses is growing at a rapid rate and that this growth is accelerating. It points out that two leading telecoms companies recorded a 60% annual increase broadband traffic over Christmas 2013 and tens of thousands of customers migrated to a ‘faster’ broadband network during that year. The subject of regional broadband coverage is also raised in the report and specifically the question of whether or not businesses and homes are getting the service they need.

Broadband Services With Plum Communications
Plum Communications is able to provide businesses with a range of different telecommunications services including bespoke business telephone systems and high speed business broadband. We understand that businesses need instant access to the internet and as such, we can offer expert advice and information about the best products and services to suit your businesses’ needs. Please get in touch with our team on 0161 622 3500.

 

Sources

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/6376-broadband-campaigners-in-the-house-of-lords.html

http://www.thametoday.co.uk/news/local-news/business-eye-institutional-denial-of-slow-broadband-speeds-1-5961229
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_25545309/bay-area-news-group-editor-named-editor-chief

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“Communications not dented by downturn” according to Ofcom communications report

Ofcom's sixth Communications Market Report into the £52 billion TV, radio, broadband, telecoms and mobile industries has found that Britons are more willing to cut back on holidays and meals out than on spending on communication technology during the recession.

When the 862 people surveyed where asked which items they were likely to cut back on, 47 per cent said they would choose to cut back on going out for dinner, 41 per cent on DIY and 41 per cent on holidays. This compares with only a fifth (19 per cent) who would cut back on mobile phone spend, 16 per cent on TV subscriptions and 10 per cent on their broadband services. To view the full report please click here for a PDF version or a detailed summary. For a breakdown of the report in a particular region in England, click here.

Some general findings from the report found:

• 50% of internet users use Facebook
• There were 2.6m Twitter users in May 2009
• Men are more likely to watch catch-up TV
• Leeds has the highest take-up rate for mobile broadband (29%)
• Mobile broadband take up was lowest in the Scottish Borders (3%)

In relation to telecoms, 7 key themes have become apparent in the report:

• A decade of change: the shift towards mobile and data services. The transformation of the telecoms market over the last ten years as mobile phone and internet services have become mass-market.
• The growth of local loop unbundling is reshaping the internet service provider market. With the cost structures associated with providing LLU-based services determining that 'bigger is better', the broadband market has been transformed since the introduction of LLU, both in terms of market size and the subscriber shares of the larger players.
• Super-fast broadband becomes a reality. The emergence of the UK's first super-fast broadband services, which are now being implemented after much anticipation, and consider how these services might impact the ISP market.
• The maturity of mobile broadband. Around three million people in the UK now access broadband services provided over a cellular network via USB modems (or 'dongles'). The relationship between mobile and fixed broadband services has matured.
• Smartphones and applications drive more sophisticated use of 'mobile internet'. The rise of the ‘mobile app’ and advances in mobile handset technology is affecting the way in which we use our mobile phones to access online services.
• SIM-only contracts central to new focus on low-cost tariffs. The changes in operator strategy and consumer behaviour have resulted in a growth in the share of pay-monthly contracts, driven primarily by the take-up of sub-£20-a-month tariffs.
• New MVNOs gain market share. The market conditions that have seen a raft of virtual network operators and service providers launch in the last couple of years and win market share

Figures regarding the use of mobiles and broadband have also been released:

Mobile phone facts and figures

• Almost 77 million mobile subscriptions - up 3 million on the year
• Nearly 30 million mobile phone contracts - up more than 3 million
• Pay as you go connections down by 100,000 to just under 47 million
• Over 80 billion texts sent last year - an average of 100 texts per person, per month
• More than 100 billion minutes of calls - equivalent of 123 minutes, per mobile, per month

Broadband facts and figures

• 17% growth in the number of UK homes with broadband.
• 19 million (50 per cent) of internet users now visit Facebook
• 29% of homes in Leeds have mobile broadband - the highest in the UK
• 22% of homes in the Highlands and Islands have mobile broadband
• 21% of internet users had used VoiP in 2008

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50p UK broadband tax per fixed phone line

As part of the Digital Britain report, outlined by Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw in Parliament yesterday, it was announced that a levy of 50p per month, which equates to £6 per year, is to be put on all fixed phone lines to help fund the Government's plan to bring broadband internet access and faster download speeds to every home in the country by 2012. The report proposed that the charge would help to upgrade the country's fixed-line network, a project on which BT and Virgin Media have already embarked. The charge would raise between £150m and £175m a year to extend next-generation broadband to the "final third" of the country that will not be reached by the market. Antony Walker, chief executive of the Broadband Stakeholders' Group, believes the tax will mean that 90% of the UK will be able to benefit from broadband of up to 50Mbps by 2017. The full report can be viewed in PDF here

In the BBC broadcast below, Lord Carter explains the need for a 50p levy:

However, many have questioned the charge, suggesting that the charge will not raise enough money and that Gordon Brown's vision of "access for all" is unachievable. Below are video links to an interview between Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman and Lord Carter, the man behind the Digital Britain Report, and the Shadow Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt speaking about the 50p levy in Parliament:

Jeremy Paxman interviewing Lord Carter
Jeremy Hunt speaking in Parliament

In summary, the Digital Britain report highlighted the following points of action:

• a three-year plan to boost digital participation
• universal access to broadband by 2012
• fund to invest in next generation broadband
• digital radio upgrade by 2015
• liberalisation of 3G spectrum
• legal and regulatory attack on digital piracy
• support for public service content partnerships
• changed role for Channel 4
• consultation on how to fund local, national and regional news
• £130m of BBC licence fee to pay for ITV regional news

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Ofcom will not get in the way of BT’s ROI on 21CN broadband

BT will now not face any obstacles from Ofcom in its plan to spend £1.5 billion pounds on its super-fast broadband network, 21CN. BT’s superfast broadband offers a speed of up to 100Mbps, more than 30 times higher than the current UK average broadband speed of 3.6Mbps. Ofcom’s CEO Ed Richards, in an interview with the Financial Times, has said that Ofcom, “will not be a barrier to this kind of investment”. BT’s CEO Ian Livingston, said that BT was making a lot of progress with Ofcom on the principles of its planned regulatory regime. Still don’t understand what 21CN is? Click here for the answer.

On announcing their plans for 21CN last July, BT declared that it would only push ahead with its plan for their fibre optic broadband internet if Ofcom set terms that allowed it a decent ROI on the service, so with this now being the case BT has push on with their plans. There was some spectism over the issue as BT's investment case rested on the hope that it would be able to charge rival telecoms groups for using its superfast network. Some analysts believe that this investment is of a high risk as they question whether consumers will be willing to pay a premium on using superfast broadband.

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“All British Homes to Have Broadband by 2012” according to ‘Digital Britain’ report

The government yesterday published an interim report, titled ‘Digital Britain’, with the aim of creating an action plan that would secure the UK's place at the head of the new media age. The report tackles everything from broadband speeds to internet regulation and public service broadcasting. Prime Minister Gordon Brown identified the importance of the report by stating that digital technology is as important today as "roads, bridges and trains were in the 20th Century".

One of the main points to come out of the report was the government’s desire to get all British households on at least 2Mbs speed broadband by 2012. Currently, around 40% of British households already have broadband internet. Similarly it is believed that by 2012 £1 in every £5 of all new commerce in this country will be online. One issue that the report looked at was illegal copying and sharing music and films using the internet. Lord Carter has proposed the creation of a 'Rights Agency' to deal with the problem of people illegally copying and sharing music and films over the internet. The agency would be funded by internet service providers (ISPs) and the music and film industry paying a ‘broadband tax’. A further issue was the possible digitalisation of radio, which would signal the end of analogue wireless radio.

However, the government’s aims though have been hit with criticism by other members of parliament. Shadow culture minister Jeremy Hunt has said that the report should have given a more strategic plan, rather than a sole review of British media. He also criticised Culture Secretary Andy Burnham his proposal for nationwide 2Mbs broadband is almost half of the current British average speed of 3.6Mbs. Similarly, the Liberal Democrats' culture, media and sport spokesman Don Foster has called the report disappointing and again claims that is lacks a strategic plan of action, “We've spent lots of money on reviews, but all we now have is a strategy group, an umbrella body, a delivery group, a rights agency, an exploratory review, a digital champion and an expert task force.”

The government has committed itself to undertake 22 actions as a result of the report, regarding next generation internet, mobile wireless and digital TV and radio. These actions can be listed here. A summary of the report’s findings can be found here. A full copy of the report can be viewed here.

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Plum Customers On-Line Ordering Service for Telephone and Data Services

From today Plum customers are able to order new services and change existing service configurations from the secure web interface. The on-line ordering service applies to all monthly billed services including telephone lines and broadband.

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