Bletchley Students Get Free Wireless Broadband

2.55.00pm GMT Thu 8th Nov 2007

A ground-breaking initiative to provide free WiMax wireless internet broadband services at home for secondary school students from Bletchley was launched at the beginning of November.

Leon School and Sports College has been working in partnership with Knowles Nursery, Infant and Junior Schools, Eaton Mill Primary School, Drayton Park Primary School, Water Hall Primary School, ConnectMK Ltd and FREEDOM4 (formerly Pipex wireless) to initiate this exciting project to support the improved educational achievement of their students.

The project aims to bridge the digital divide for students who do not have internet access in their homes. It is one of the first such projects in the country, bringing high-speed broadband services to students using a long-range form of wireless transmission instead of traditional wired broadband. This will allow pupils to develop skills at home and support improved levels of attainment.

ConnectMK Ltd is providing support for the service and is backed by Freedom4 who supply the WiMAX receiving technology to deliver the broadband service.

Liberal Democrat councillor Phil Gerrella, cabinet member for information technology and e-government, said: "Providing pupils with laptops and free internet broadband services is part of our efforts to bridge the digital divide that exists among pupils. It is hoped that this scheme will further enhance the educational aspirations of these pupils. This is a truly exciting initiative and we are really pleased that these organisations and schools have been able to come together to make it happen. We hope to see this type of approach repeated elsewhere in Milton Keynes."

The scheme will be rolled out in phases, with up to sixty students participating in the project each term with loaned equipment and wireless broadband service funded by Milton Keynes Council. At the end of each term the equipment is passed on to another group of pupils. The project also provides the opportunity for other members of students' families to participate in adult learning courses in information technology.