Metronet is seen as an example of good practice in the BDUK Voucher scheme and Mr Vaizey was keen to visit the company responsible for the scheme’s success in Manchester and Salford. The scheme allows businesses struggling on ADSL or low bandwidth broadband to apply for up to £3000 towards the cost of installing superfast Internet services.
So far, the vast majority of companies connected under the Manchester and Salford scheme have opted for services delivered by Metronet (UK). Mr Vaizey also visited Spirit SSR, the international educational centre of excellence for sound recording, who have recently had a superfast connection installed by Metronet (UK) within 2 weeks of order under the voucher scheme.
With the widespread adoption of cloud based services and other technologies such as voice over IP, businesses are becoming more dependent on their Internet service. Mr Vaizey was keen to understand how innovative use of both wired and wireless networking can deliver a cost effective technology solution to address these needs in both an urban and rural environment. He was also keen to stress how the use of alternative providers such as Metronet (UK) will have a big part to play in ensuring that hard to reach areas are not disadvantaged by their geography in the government’s superfast rollout.
Managing Director, James McCall said, “We were delighted to meet the minister today. Metronet (UK) is changing the face of the Internet landscape. By being reactive and responsive to the needs of the market, we set the standard for other Internet Service Providers, going where other providers won’t and doing it faster. Wireless Technology has an important part to play in the market and its been proven by our success in the BDUK voucher scheme. The big fibre providers just can’t keep up.”