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The Digital Dale

Barnard Castle Vision has recently announced that Networks By Wireless, the UK’s largest independent supplier of wireless infrastructure and mobility solutions at the forefront of technology and convergence, has been selected as winning tenderer for the provision of Next Generation Broadband Access in Teesdale.

The Digital Dale project, backed by Durham County Council in conjunction with One North East, is being led by Barnard Castle Vision in co-ordination with a number of local partners including Teesdale Enterprise Agency, Teesdale Action Partnership, local businesses and residents. Barnard Castle Vision is currently securing funding for the building, maintenance and operation of the network. Works looks set to begin in March 2010, with completion expected by the end of 2011.

Of the proposals tendered, Networks By Wireless’s solution offers the most comprehensive and cost-effective coverage of the rural area currently available, utilising 3.5 GHz of licensed WiMax for client delivery covering all of Teesdale. Once constructed, the network will be maintained and operated by Network by Wireless together with their partner ISP.

In total, the project expects to connect a number of micro-enterprises and a wide variety of residential, community and business users.  In addition, the project will also offer public internet access to over 100,000 visitors per annum through WiFi zones in Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale and through WiMax technology approaching 12,000 domestic residences and 1000 commercial premises in Teesdale once the project is fully expanded.

Beneficiaries will include isolated farms and those communities which currently have poor or no connectivity. These will be identified through additional survey work. 

The Digital Dale project forms part of Barnard Castle Vision’s commitment to provide broadband services to as wide an area as possible across the dale, including remote rural communities.

A survey by Barnard Castle Vision and the Enterprise Agency for Wear Valley and Teesdale in 2008 found that there is currently great need for better connectivity in Teesdale. As well as identifying many areas of poor or no connectivity, it collated many responses from businesses and residents who wanted or needed better broadband in order to stay in the area. A Teesdale Action Partnership Needs Analysis in September 2009 also identified the key local issues limited by lack of broadband as Economic, Business, Education, Social Digital Inclusion, Health and Welfare.

Enterprise House offers pay-as-you-go broadband access and office facilities for businesses and homeworkers who need to access the internet, or have somewhere to hold meetings. If you have an interrupted broadband service, or find yourself with time in town between meetings, you can use your time effectively. For information telephone Julia on 01833 696750 or email: julia@e-house.co.uk www.e-house.co.uk.

Public access points - Barnard Castle Library has 6 internet PCs with 75% usage by residents (70%) and visitors (30%) during opening hours. The Tourist Information Centre has two public internet PCs and BT OpenZone wireless internet access. It is the only BT Wi-Fi OpenZone in Barnard Castle. The only other Wi-Fi hotspot in Teesdale is at Headlam Hall Hotel operated through the T-Mobile UK network.

BT exchange & broadband - The local exchange in Barnard Castle supports ADSL broadband up to 8Mb (depending upon distance from the exchange and the contract you have with your internet service provider). The exchange is due for an upgrade in 2010. You can check what level of service you should be able to receive at www.dslzoneuk.net/maxspeed.php.

Background - In 2003, TeesdaleNet (Teesdale Marketing, Teesdale Village Halls Consortium, Teesdale District Council and the Enterprise Agency) campaigned to bring broadband provision to Teesdale. TeesdaleNet mapped the Dale for suitable delivery methods, campaigned BT, liaised with One North East to access funding and equipment and supported the implementation of wireless broadband facilities by DurhamNet at Enterprise House in Barnard Castle and a pilot project throughout the Dale in association with the Village Halls Consortium. In 2004 TeesdaleNet created the gateway www.teesdale.co.uk.