Reach and Swaffham Prior Community Network
On 29th September, RASP Community Broadband held its second AGM in Reach
Village Hall. As a user of the service, I am a member although, unlike the
courageous founders, I have not had to put in my own money to launch the
service.
The Broadband service now has 48 home and 11 business members generating an annual income of £15,300. This success is due to the hard work of the founders. However, more members are needed to continue to provide the excellent broadband internet access and further the interests of it members in all aspects of Wireless Local area networks and associated activities. Discussion developed on the choices of how to develop further and it was voted to decrease installation fees. With a few more user members, the group could also reduce monthly fees, increase the speed and quality of the service and offer extra services such as central backup.
Much time was spent discussing the "threat" of BT broadband. Some of the discussion (and the advertising leaflet) were technical and incomprehensible to me. However, in layperson's English, I can say what the service does and some of the reasons why more villagers should sign up:
What does broadband mean to the user?
Broadband means access to the internet or email separate from your telephone. It means not having to dial up every time. It means you can talk to a phone helpline (e.g. to work through a technical hitch) and simultaneously work through the suggestions on screen. It means fast access so you can download improvements in software such as service pack 2 for Windows XP.
What is special about the RASP system?
The speed of all internet viewing systems is dependent on the design of websites, the variable speed of the internet and the number of users at the time. For the RASP wireless system, the number of users is much lower for the band width available than for the "big" systems such as BT so it is faster. Similarly, the quality is better because it is not affected by the number of joins in the telephone line.
RASP "symmetrical" broadband has a similar uploading to downloading system so, for example, you can send photographs of printable quality, not just poor quality thumbnails. "Asymmetric" broadband (ASDL) as offered by BT etc. does not allow rapid uploading and it is slower than the RASP wireless system.
The RASP system has "firewall" protection from viruses and worms which damage computers and a "spam" filter to remove those ads for viagra - and worse. The team at RASP also advise you about your own firewall and anti-viral software - and supply top quality ones at minimal cost. BT give you no advice and no discounts.
Fitting of the system is minimal disruption and can be done at a time to suit you. The friendly technos are also in the village if you have a problem - and the RASP website can be accessed for routine information and help.
The system is non-profit making. Any surplus funds are put back into the Community system, not into Corporate profits and Director salaries.
I thought East Cambridgeshire DC was subsidising broadband
East Cambs DC has refused to give small grants for local initiatives such as ours. It has given a large grant to a single company to upgrade all the telephone exchanges in East Cambs (except Upware). However, this is unlikely to benefit this village as the quality of service depends on the number of joins in the cable between your telephone and the exchange. Wireless, as used by RASP, is not affected in this way. Paradoxically, East Cambs DC has asked RASP to supply Upware with broadband. Maybe a grant is in order for this extra community service!
Who will benefit from broadband? - a few examples
- Any family with children should have broadband. Internet familiarity and use is mainstream 21st century education.
- Anyone who wishes to keep in contact without the hassle and expense of envelopes and stamps.
- Anyone wishing to find train times and fares, wardrobe doors, if a sale item is still in stock, local history etc.
- Anyone wishing to bank or shop on-line - reducing charges and costs.
- Anyone wishing to move house - you can trawl through Estate Agent websites and view details and maps, look at photographs, book viewings etc.
- Anyone who is frustrated by the "you can find further information on our website at ...". If you can't beat them - join them.
My monthly fee pays for itself by reductions in my phone and car costs alone.