The Wiltshire and Swindon Smartplace Project was created to promote and support the use of broadband by Swindon-based SMEs.

Gaining Competitive Advantage

The aim of the partnership is to help local companies gain a competitive advantage by embracing the ‘Broadband Revolution’. Originally formed by the Economic Strategy and Promotion Team of Swindon Borough Council, partnership members include among others:

• BT
• Business Link
• Swindon Chamber of Commerce
• Learning and Skills Council
• South West Regional Development Agency
• University of Bath in Swindon
• interACTIVE.

All four of Swindon's exchanges are now broadband-enabled and businesses are already able to sign up and enjoy the benefits of the new technology. Take-up has not reflected this fact, however, and some companies are not aware that they have the facility to connect to broadband, while others may not fully appreciate the benefits that the new technology can offer. It is with a view to addressing these problems that the partnership has been formed.

Achieving Business Growth

The focus of the initiative will be on showing companies the business benefits that can be derived from the use of broadband technology. It will also be to provide practical advice on getting connected and to illustrate how, by optimising the use of broadband facilities, businesses can achieve real growth. This will be achieved, in part, by the establishment of ‘experience centres’, where businesses and individuals can try out the technology for themselves and gain access to a network of professional business advisors. For further information about the Wiltshire and Swindon Smartplace project please see www.eswindon.co.uk