§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment at what cost to(a) the Government, (b) schools and (c) local authorities connections to the Internet for schools have been made. [72076]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeInformation relating specifically to the cost of schools' connection to the Internet is not held centrally.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average(a) capital and 342W (b) running cost per link to the Internet for (i) primary schools and (ii) secondary schools; and if he will estimate the range of such costs. [72081]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeOftel and the telecoms industry have now reached agreement on how the commitment to wire up schools to the superhighway free of charge will be implemented. Schools will have a choice of free connections and of technologies, either ISDN2 or equivalent from BT or the cable companies. They are, of course, under no obligation to restrict their usage to these times, packages or telecoms providers included in this deal, and if this is the case, their costs will vary accordingly.
The detailed terms of the offer are contained in the Oftel statement "Access to the Superhighways for Schools" (October 1997). Main features are:
Company/technology £ BT (10 hours per school day 8am-6pm) ISDN2 790 p.a. PSTN 445 p.a. plus £100 connection charge Cable companies ISDN 600 p.a. PSTN 100 p.a. for schools up to 250 pupils 250 p.a. for schools from 251–500 pupils 500 p.a. for schools with 501+ pupils Other companies may choose to offer similar tariff structures—as a commercial decision for the individual companies involved.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the companies which have made connections to the Internet for schools free of installation charges; how many connections have been made in each case; and if he will publish the terms under which these connections have been made. [72079]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeUnder the agreement between Oftel and the telecoms industry schools will have a choice of free connections and of technologies, either ISDN2 or equivalent from BT or the cable companies.
The detailed terms of the offer are contained in the Oftel statement "Access to the Superhighways for Schools" (October 1997). Main features are:
Company/technology £ BT (10 hours per school day 8am-6pm) ISDN 790 p.a. PSTN 445 p.a. plus £100 connection charge Cable companies ISDN 600 p.a. PSTN 100 p.a. for schools up to 250 pupils 250 p.a. for schools from 251–500 pupils 500 p.a. for schools with 501+ pupils Other companies may choose to offer similar tariff structures—as a commercial decision for the individual companies involved.
The Department does not hold figures for schools' connection to the Internet by individual companies.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received 343W from (a) BT, (b) other providers, (c) schools and (d) local authorities on Internet connections. [72080]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Department received representations from all the above groups and others on a range of issues including Internet connections as part of the consultation exercise on plans for the National Grid for Learning undertaken in 1997. A report on the outcomes of that consultation can be found on the National Grid for Learning website at: http://www.vtc.ngfl.gov.uldvtalibrary/pub.html.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to monitor the terms under which free connections to the Internet for schools are being made; and if he will make a statement. [72077]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeCurrent arrangements for schools' connection to and use of the Internet at reduced cost were brokered by Oftel and allow for schools to benefit from access to the Internet for a fixed annual fee through a BT ISDN2 connection between 9am and 6pm or for unlimited access through an equivalent cable connection.
The DfEE, in conjunction with other Government Departments, Oftel and the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency, continue to monitor schools' use of the Internet, through statistical surveys and in other ways, and to explore with Oftel and the telecommunications industry the scope for extending such agreements.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many times he has met representatives of BT to discuss Internet connections to schools. [72087]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has met the BT Chairman for discussion on a range of issues. In addition, officials remain in touch with BT through correspondence and meetings, and through public consultation. Other Ministers have also had contact with representatives of the company. These meetings have typically covered a range of issues rather than specifically relating to Internet connections to schools.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of(a) primary and (b) secondary schools have been connected to the Internet free of installation charge to date. [72078]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Department published last year the results of a survey of ICT in provision in schools which indicated that 17 per cent. of primary schools and 83 per cent. of secondary schools were connected to the Internet by March 1998. This is in comparison to the previous year's survey (published in 1997) which indicated that 5 per cent. of primary schools and 47 per cent. of secondary schools were connected to the Internet at the time. Subsequent annual surveys will indicate the change in growth of schools with such connections. The Government are committed to ensuring that all schools are connected to the Internet by 2002.
Precise figures are not held on how many of these schools benefited from the free connection deals such as those offered by BT and cable companies.