It was cause for a double celebration as Cllr John Williams, Chairman of Taunton Deane District Council, made the final connection to provide the West Hatch Scout Camp with a broadband communication link last Friday (2 March). The installation was finalised by West Somerset Internet just days after the company was confirmed as the UK’s ‘Wireless Internet Service Provider of the Year’ at the 2007 ISPA Awards.

“We’re delighted to have provided such a valuable communications link to the Scout Camp in its centenary year,” says West Somerset Internet’s Managing Director, Tim Snape. “I’m sure the new wireless connection will provide a real boost to all future activities at the camp. And, with our own success in the ‘Oscar’ awards of our industry, there are a lot of happy faces around. It’s all a far cry from the frustration we felt a few weeks ago when our efforts to link our dedicated West Country networks were scuppered by thieves and vandals.

Earlier this year, West Somerset Internet CiC and West Dorset Internet Ltd took steps to link their two networks to create a single and much larger network for the region using a specially commissioned wind-powered generator and mast on the Dorset/Somerset border, near Beaminster. The move would have created the largest network of its kind in the UK, but the generator was stolen and the mast was destroyed before it went live.

“We still plan to proceed with our plans for a larger network,” continues Tim Snape, “ as it will enhance system reliability and reduce costs for any user - from Exmoor to Bournemouth. Such a wireless network is invaluable for businesses and communities in many rural areas where there is limited or no access to broadband using a standard telephone connection.”

West Somerset Internet is a Community Interest Company and was set up with the help of WestLabbs, Connecting Somerset, Somerset County Council and West Somerset Council to provide a high speed broadband solution for people in the area. The service has now been operating successfully for over a year in Exmoor National Park, The Brendon and Quantock Hills and has recently been extended into areas of Taunton Deane, including the West Hatch area.

Tim Snape of West Somerset Internet received the award for Best Wireless Internet Service Provider from TV star Lee Hurst at the 2007 ISPA Awards ceremony held at the Marriot Hotel in Grosvenor Square, London.

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Note to Editor
Connecting Somerset is funded by Somerset County Council, the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), Mendip, Sedgemoor, Taunton Deane and West Somerset Councils, South Somerset Together, the European Social Fund and Business Link Somerset.

For further information, please contact :
David Wilford tel 01373 303004 mob 07790 774284 or Ron Dyson tel 01308 485707
Issued by The Aurora Partnership on behalf of Connecting Somerset