The Government begins "Broadband for all" grant scheme
People of Suffolk and Oldham, prepare to be happy. The Government has announced that these will be the first places in the country to benefit from the “Broadband for all” scheme as of February next year.
Schools Minister Jim Knight will oversee the spending of £300m on this project that will initially provide 20,000 selected low income families with money for either a new computer, software or internet for a year.
The grants available will be for anywhere between £100 and £700 with Mr Knight also calling on IT companies to offer deals to students from seven to 18 who he thinks now need access to Facebook the web as much as pens and paper at school. He said:
“The bottom line is that having home access to the internet or a computer is no longer an optional extra for school work – it is fast becoming essential. Schools are revolutionising how they educate faster than many families realise.”
Should it prove successful, the scheme is set to go nationwide in autumn 2009. Fingers crossed.
(via Broadband-Finder)
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