by Frederick » Tue Jul 27, 2010 10:20 pm
Hi,
If we are truly serious about getting our rural broadband improved then we have to commit more time and support to those that are helping state our case with the relevant authorities and organisations.
The residential growth in Hilton has been immense, but it will be the businesses and business growth/demand that will determine and attract potential broadband service providers and investors to the area. In recent communications with Mark Melluish at Rutland Telecom he too emphasised this.
"Due to the demand for the services of Rutland Telecom to undertake survey’s the waiting time has extended. If the Hilton survey was a strictly residential only survey then they are estimating they would be looking at 3 to 4 months for the survey, if there were businesses in the area also committed then a survey would probably be within 6 to 8 weeks."
I believe a step forward would be to speak with all the businesses in Hilton including the business park, surveying what their thoughts are currently and what they expect from a broadband service provider in the future.
As a village we should undertake in-depth surveys and questionnaires (residential & business) so that we have substantive evidence and information for discussion/submission to the relative organisations when required.
Is someone from the village with technical knowledge able to draft an output specification for what the village requires in the form of broadband amenities, in 2 parts one for residential and one for business requirements? I guess there would be the ‘blue-sky’ thinking alongside the more practical/realistic approach, recognising some of the restrictive elements we will have to work within. We need to focus on the areas we can influence to make best use of time and resource.
Although the number of attendees at the previous meeting in the HHH was small, I am more than willing to help set up another review. Before doing this we need a clear agenda, structured in a manner that will identify the inputs, outputs and resources required to deliver any actions identified. We will also need to consider any risks .e.g. we have got what we’ve got and will have to be satisfied with it.
If anyone has thoughts on how to move this issue forward proactively please let’s be hearing from you, we need technical ideas, questionnaires, specifications, surveys, vision and a desire to get something done.
Please let me know your thoughts (good or bad) on this post along with any ideas or proposals that will contribute in keeping things moving forward towards a conclusion.
Regards, Frederick...

