Europe to benefit from region’s telecoms experience
YORKSHIRE broadband organisation NYnet has been appointed technology consultant to a £2.8m project to improve internet access and IT systems across Europe.
The B3 “Regions for Better BroadBand” connection initiative – which is the first of its kind – will run for 26 months involving 17 partner organisations from nine EU member states.
NYnet, which is a collaboration between North Yorkshire County Council and Yorkshire Forward, was invited to be a part of the project following its groundbreaking work to introduce high speed broadband to North Yorkshire – an area that had previously suffered from a lack of internet access.
It joins as an expert in the field of rural economic and social regeneration through the provision of high speed broadband services and is the sole UK representative.
David Cullen, NYnet chief executive said:”I am delighted that the work of NYnet to bring high speed broadband to North Yorkshire has been highlighted as a model of good practice to be shared throughout Europe.
“Our project is both unique and groundbreaking and will serve as an excellent case study of best practice to be shared with our European neighbours.”
Mr Cullen said that the project would also enable NYnet to benefit from the experiences of the other consortium partners.
Jim Farmery, assistant director for business innovation at regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, said: “NYnet has made a real difference to North Yorkshire through the organisations innovative work to develop a high speed broadband infrastructure and the decision by the EU to approach NYnet as experts in the delivery of rural broadband is a real recognition of the projects achievements.”
Earlier this year, NYnet launched the Business IT Guide (BITG) to help educate businesses on how to get the best out of the internet and other communicaitons technology.
According to EU research only 60% of businesses and households in remote and rural areas of the EU have broadband. This compares to more than 90% in more urban areas.
