§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures will be taken to provide broadband access to schools in areas where there is no broadband provision. [127090]
§ Mr. MilibandBroadband is currently being rolled out through 10 Regional Broadband Consortia (RBCs). Each RBC is developing appropriate connectivity solutions for their area to ensure the Prime Minister's target of having all schools connected to broadband by 2006 is achieved.
Where cabling infrastructure is not available, RBCs are successfully deploying a range of other technologies to ensure schools have access to reliable, high bandwidth connectivity. In a number of rural areas for example, wireless technologies such as Satellite and radio are being used effectively to connect schools.
The DfES is also supporting the Government's Broadband Aggregation Project announced in July. From next April, nine Regional Aggregation Bodies will aggregate demand and procure broadband across the public sector. This will ensure best value and stimulate supply in areas where very little broadband is currently available.