Broadband in the South Hams

Since 2002 the Economy and Europe office has been promoting the benefits of high speed Internet access, or broadband, to the businesses and community of the South Hams.

There are four main technologies:

ADSL ("Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line")
Cable
Satellite
Wireless

ADSL operates through local telephone exchanges. All South Hams exchanges will be upgraded to accommodate this by August 2005. There is a limit on the distance from an exchange that broadband speeds can be delivered though technological solutions to this are being sought. Beyond this distance alternative technologies need to be used. In the rural South Hams wireless and satellite technologies are likely to be the most appropriate.

Arguably, all businesses could benefit from marketing and transactions carried out over a high speed network, from guesthouses to those trading electronically and internationally.

The Benefits of Broadband

High speed Internet use	Faster upload and download times
"Always on" connection i.e. no ‘dial-up’	Value for money
Fixed monthly cost	Simultaneous use of phone and Internet

Receive An Email Update On Broadband And ICT In The South Hams

As part of their promotion of broadband technology the Economy and Europe Office. provide an email update on broadband and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). If you would like to receive this information please contact the Economy and Europe Office on 01803 861234 or via: Economy.Europe@southhams.gov.uk

Broadband4Devon And The Catalyst4Growth Programme

Broadband4Devon (B4D) is a partnership created in 2003 to use Objective 2 funding to offer advice, support and subsidies for broadband connections to Devon businesses. In 2004 B4D launched a new initiative, Catalyst4Growth. The Catalyst4Growth programme focuses on assisting businesses to prioritise and implement ICT initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce costs or facilitate access to new markets. Eligible businesses in the Objective 2 area of Devon, including the whole of the South Hams, will be offered assistance, guidance, advice and financial support in improving their use of ICT to aid their growth and development.

South Hams Businesses Make The Most of B4D's Catalyst4growth Programme

Under the Broadband4Devon / Catalyst4Growth Programme there are currently 3,438 companies in the Objective 2 area of Devon working with the Broadband team based at Langage in the South Hams. Nearly one third (31%) of these businesses are themselves based in the South Hams. However, this number is not necessarily the most significant. Gillian Pearce, Marketing Executive for Broadband4Devon says, "it’s the quality rather than the quantity that is significant. Of the £1.3 million invested in businesses by the programme so far, approximately 50% of this spend is in the South Hams, "South Hams are by a long way the most pro-active group in Devon, we never have any problems finding good case studies from South Hams businesses".