Background
The Cybermoor project started in response to a Government initiative "Wired up Communities" whose aim was to connect disadvantaged communities to the internet. Alston Moor was selected due to its remoteness and the distance that people had to travel to access basic services. The funding paid for PCs for 88% of residents, a community website (over 8000 hits/month), broadband for 32% of homes and adaptive equipment for people with disabilities. The schools also benefited with £250,000 invested in equipment to give pupils access to some of the latest learning technology. Cybermoor Ltd (the UK's first broadband community co-op) was set up in January 2003 to collect broadband revenue from residents and move the project towards sustainability. 14 jobs have been created and at least 3 businesses have been attracted into the area through the project.
The Present
Cybermoor Ltd now has the highest penetration of broadband in any rural area in England. Our trading activities cover the sale of computer consumables, hire of equipment, consultancy for local authorities and Government agencies. We are funded by the North West Development Agency to promote social inclusion through ICT, including support for hesitant residents who are uncomfortable using a PC and who will benefit from 1 to 1 support.
We also train residents to develop the skills to publish stories and events onto the Cybermoor website. The website has also been used to trial a range of travel services including text message alerts when roads are blocked by snow and a lift sharing service. A discussion forum allows residents to talk about a variety of local issues from CCTV to tracing old school friends.
Improving the level of skills among residents has been one of the key outputs of the project. 72% of residents have used a PC to learn from home.
The Future
The super fast wireless broadband network which now covers most of Alston Moor will be used for Cybermoor.tv a new local television channel which can be viewed by broadband subscribers. Residents will be able to film local events, edit these films and share them via Cybermoor.tv
A project to be carried out later this year will enable people to make telephone calls via their broadband connections.
Cybermoor Ltd has developed one of the first large scale broadband networks operating on a commercial basis. Along the way, we have experienced many unexpected challenges that have been costly and were avoidable. We aim to advise many more organisations on how to avoid these pitfalls via our specialist consultancy services, saving them money.
Cybermoor Ltd is a founder member of the Community Broadband Network supporting the growth of broadband across the country.