'Let's create a free Internet' (From thisisoxfordshire)

'Let's create a free Internet'

12:06pm Saturday 2nd August 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

Children living on Oxford's estates could be the first to benefit from a free city-wide Internet connection - if a new scheme is given the go-ahead.

Following in the footsteps of examples set in Milton Keynes and Manchester, a group of Oxford Brookes academics are investigating the possibility of providing free Internet to the whole of Oxford, offering better education for children and home care for the ill.

Wireless broadband access would enable people to log on to the Web from anywhere without having to plug into a wall.

But Jock Coats, the man behind the drive, said the plan would need full local support if it was to work.

The former city councillor said: "The Internet is the 21st century equivalent of what access to transport was to the previous two centuries.

"According to a survey, the main reason people don't have the Internet is because they can't afford it.

"While Oxford is 'well wired', there are areas of relative deprivation within the city which are likely to be last on any commercial roll-out timetable."

Mr Coats, a systems analyst at Brookes University, said businesses should get the chance to sponsor the scheme.

He said: "Milton Keynes has a similar project called Connect MK Ltd, which was founded by the local authority.

"I have approached our two local authorities and we have been working with the education trusts to look at the feasibility of a project that would combine deals with local business to offer low-cost or free broadband access for school children working from home in some of the city's least well-off neighbourhoods."

The Hamilton Trust, an education charity based in Oxford, is backing the initiative.

Education officer Deidre Holes said: "We are always interested in improving education wherever we can.

"The Internet is an important resource for children but one that many don't have access to at home, where so much of their work is done.

"A home page where children can access and submit homework on-line, and parents can see exactly what is being taught at school, would have important educational benefits."

Academics working on the plan said Wireless Oxford could even improve home care for the ill at home, with devices able to send medical information back to base, lowering the amount of visits to hospitals.

Employees could also work more easily from home.

An Oxford City Council spokesman confirmed the authority was looking into the possibility of wireless broadband as part of a business transformation programme.

• Print
• Email
• Share