Somerset schools to get broadband network

Southwest One, a joint venture company set up by Somerset CC, Taunton Deane BC, Avon and Somerset Police and IBM, is to deliver the new service to 70,000 pupils as well as 10,000 teachers and support staff. The network will be built on BT's 21st Century Next Generation (21CN NGA) national fibre optic network and is scheduled for completion by the end of March 2011. Secondary and middle schools will be provided with data connection speeds of 100MB/seconds, which Southwest One says is more than 10 times the present average speed. Paul Sheehan, headteacher at St Andrews Church of England Primary School in Taunton, said: "This announcement is a positive step forward for both children and teachers in my own school and more importantly the wider Somerset learning community. "This project is about securing and enhancing what we are doing and opening up future opportunities to help children learn."