Rural Broadband Coalition & Colloquium

The emphasis for the need to 'up the pace' on delivering rural connectivity increases by the day....

It seems that the message is slowly sinking in - it is time to stop talking and start doing. However, there is still a need to educate across all levels so that the right (political) decisions are made to deliver the required EndGame.

Dr Charles Trotman, CLA has just emailed regarding the need for a broadband coalition in order to get co-operation and collaboration in solving the problem. (see below for the text of the email)

The first meeting to establish how such an organisation will be run is arranged for 2nd March in London. If you wish to attend, please email Charles.Trotman at the CLA domain (see below).

Charles will also be informing the first of three planned Digital Dales colloquia for 2010, specifically on rural broadband issues, which will be held on 26th February. "Making the Final Third Happen" has kindly been sponsored by Timico, and will be held at their HQ in Newark from 10am. That's 26th February - stick it in your diary, this is an event not to miss as we plan to share some secrets!

Watch this space for more info on the colloq....and contact Lindsey if you want to sponsor the post-event networking session, or exhibit.

CLA Invite:

Dear all,

As you are all no doubt aware, there is increasing activity on the issue of rural broadband. However, a lot of this activity is based at either a local or regional level with little if any access to Whitehall.

In addition, many people I have discussed the broadband issue with accept the need that there needs to be a significant element of co-ordination for there to be any major success, both in terms of the Government’s 2012 objective (commitment) and beyond to 2017.

Therefore, it is our view that now is the right time to seek to pull together a national coalition of groups and individuals that can set and focus on a series of lobbying objectives.

To this end, I am pleased to invite you to a meeting that will be held at 16 Belgrave Square, London to discuss the creation of such a coalition and how such a body would operate on

Tuesday 2 March 2010 at 11.00am.

The meeting is likely to last 2 hours

If you are able to attend, please reply by e-mail (charles.trotman@cla.org.uk ).

Many thanks

Dr Charles Trotman
Head of Rural Business Development
Country Land and Business Association
16 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8PQ
Tel: 0207 460 7939