Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group
Connected Berkshire: Now. Tomorrow. Beyond.
Consultation status ArchivedActivity closed.
Background
The Digital Infrastructure Group (DIG), comprising all six Berkshire local authorities (Bracknell Forest Council, Reading Borough Council, Slough Borough Council, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, West Berkshire Council and Wokingham Borough Council) and the Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, are working with market providers and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport's Barrier Busting Task Force to minimise barriers to Digital Infrastructure investments, reducing rollout costs and delays and leading to further investment into the county.
The aim is to create a joined up approach to the challenges faced by current infrastructure restrictions, and to make sure that post-pandemic businesses and residents can continue to connect with people across all platforms.
In May 2019, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a £5 billion commitment to fund gigabit-capable broadband for the hardest to reach 20 per cent of homes and businesses, and in the Spending Review in November 2020 the budgetary phasing of the programme was confirmed.
You can find out more about what we're doing by following us on Facebook, Instagram: @BerksDIG, Twitter: @BerksDIG or search #ConnectedBerkshire on your favourite social media platform.
Why we want your views
We're working to improve the digital infrastructure across Berkshire and we want to hear from residents and businesses to help us better understand what they know about the current digital infrastructure, and if they know about projects to improve the quality and speed of broadband and mobile data. We're also interested in how and what these services are used for, and if Covid has changed your view about going online to do things you would usually have done face-to-face.
We'd also like to hear from people that aren't online to better understand what, if anything, is stopping them from getting connected.
How to take part
If you'd like to tell us about your experience, please complete our survey by midnight on Sunday, 24 April 2022. It should take about 5 to 10 minutes and your answers are anonymous.
If you have any queries about the survey, please get in touch with us at ContactUS@BerkshireDIG.Org.UK
Why not #Tell10 friends or family member by tweeting or posting about it? Who better to talk about how easy it is to complete than someone who has done it? We would love it if you could help us by sharing it on social media using the hashtags #Tell10 and #ConnectedBerkshire.
What happens next
Once we've reviewed and analysed your responses, we'll share them on this page and through #ConnectedBerkshire in April 2022. A full list of your anonymised responses will be available upon request.
To find out more about Berkshire DIG, visit our web page. You can also follow our social media channels listed above to keep up to date and follow our journey.
What you told us
- Almost half of respondents were unaware of the Superfast Broadband project.
- Most residents were aware of the BDUK initiative to have 85% of the UK connected to a gigabit speed broadband connection.
- Despite the challenges of Covid-19, 87% did not change their broadband during the pandemic.
- Over half of respondents connected to Public access WiFi though they were still concerned about hackers.
- 65% of residents did not have an unlimited data plan on their mobile devise or tablet.
You can view a more detailed breakdown of the results online, or if you'd like more information please email the Project Team.
What we did
We've already started acting on the information we received and the views will inform our Digital Strategy, as well as future communications and engagement activities.
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