Case Study: South Witham Broadband

South Witham Broadband Ltd (SWBB) came about in 2004 when a rural community found itself on the wrong side of the ‘digital divide’. It has become an innovative social enterprise that harnesses the full potential of Information and Communications Technology and can deliver the benefits of internet connection to everyone in the local community. It provides fast, reliable, wireless broadband internet connections to South Witham and surrounding villages on the South Lincolnshire/Rutland border.

The SWBB service:

• Shared service: 2048 kbps down, 256 kbps up, a local high speed (11/54Mb/s) loop connecting users and no bandwidth capping.
• Cost effective, community owned and run.
• Doesn't tie up the phone line, doesn't even need a phone.
• Unlimited email addresses, multiple machines can be connected.
• Local support and access to local forum.
• All the additional advantages of a wireless network.
• Equipment loan facility.
• Internet access to those without credit/banking facilities.
• Prioritised the network for voice over broadband traffic.
• Training in social software and computer applications.

How it Started

In 2003, Tom and Helen Anderson were fed up with the adverts conveying all the advantages of broadband when at that time there was little hope of getting the local telephone exchange upgraded. Through the village magazine they asked if anyone was interested in getting together to investigate other ways of bringing high speed internet access to the area, and a small group of activists were formed.

Being unaware of any telecom companies exploring rural broadband they looked at building their own Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and sourced grants for this. The South Witham website was set up and soon enquiries were coming in. The company has grown from providing a limited broadband service to South Witham to being able to offer a 2 Megabit service to a 20 square mile radius. The project team has also mentored other organisations working towards the same goals from all around the UK and aim to continue this, avoiding duplication of effort and sharing best practice.

Stakeholder Engagement

The business is democratically owned and governed with every user becoming a member and entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting to elect the Board of Directors. At present there are five Directors.

Contact Details

Co-operatives^EM

Co-operatives East Midlands brings people and organisations together to promote, develop and support co-operative enterprise in the East Midlands region.

The Co-operative Advantage

• Combined social goals and business success.
• Rooted in the communities they serve.
• Participation of members in running the business.
• Responsive and accountable.