IDEA13

The iSouthEND project wants to know how you might use a high-speed Internet testbed (see our Forum on IDEA13).

The iSouthEND project is looking at ways of improving high-speed wireless/wired Internet access in Southend in order to experiment with advanced and innovative digital services. We are working on a ‘test bed feasibility study’ which means investigating the most appropriate way of installing the necessary infrastructure in key areas of Southend to support local creative talent and the economy.

If we are able to go ahead, this will include a high-speed digital network that will be available to businesses, commerce, academia, artists and the community. It would probably comprise a network of high-speed wireless (Wi-Fi) hotspots in particular places linked to each other and the wider Internet by optical high-speed connections. For some non-commercial uses this could include links to the UK’s academic network (JANET).

The testbed would include the development of a number of innovative applications and services that will be grounded in the needs of the citizens, businesses and public authorities of Southend. The ambition is that the testbed will be used as one of the national test beds proposed by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB)[1] in order to bring into fruition the government’s Digital Britain initiative outlined in the Digital Britain report [2].

iSouthEND is part of the Digital Exploration Centre (DEC) project that is being lead by Renaissance Southend Ltd. For more information on the DEC, go to the Renaissance Southend WEBSITE:

Notes:

[1] http://www.innovateuk.org/_assets/pdf/TSB_DigitalBritainStrategy.pdf

[2] http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/digitalbritain-finalreport-jun09.pdf

What do we want from you?

What we want you to do is simply tell us what you might be able to do that you cannot currently do, or how your way of working/creating would change and improve if you had access to innovative digital services that are not currently available in Southend.

What are the current constraints on your activities and can you imagine potential applications and services which might help you to transform your activities? We will try to build these ideas into the testbed proposal in the hope that we can work with you in the future to realise your dreams and ambitions for a Digital Southend.

Provide feedback or ask us a question below. Please provide feedback before the 11th February!!

Visit our Forum on IDEA13 – CLICK HERE – to send feedback to us and find more information. If are not a registered IDEA13 member, you can also leave the feedback below this post.