We are about to commission BT to do a survey on bringing fibre optic cable to Sandy Lane and so enabling all the units across both sites to access high speed broadband by accessing a 100Mbps leased line. In the ways of BT this involves an investment of £5000 upfront prior to getting the report and then getting the service - that's before the annual rental, of course, so you can see this is no small commitment by the Estate. BT will be providing the fibre and ISP Newnet based in Fareham will be providing the service.
We anticipate that the first units will have access to the fibre in the Spring with Shedfield Grange Farm Business Park the first to come on stream. The Estate is also planning to restore and convert the Barn in 2009 on the site ready for occupation later in the year and the two programmes have a great deal of synergy reflecting the need and demand for both high quality space in an attractive working environment combined with high speed broadband access.
The Estate takes the view that we need to bring very high speed broadband to the units to support the successful businesses on site many with growing internet operations. We increasingly take the view that we are moving towards an IP or internet protocol business and technology model for the knowledge economy. It is interesting to note that Ipswich has used IP as part of their vision and branding, building on BT's Martelsham Research Labs which are nearby in Suffolk. The recently launched government report on broadband titled Digital Britain also highlighted that in spite of the recession, consumer e-commerce in the UK is anticipated to increase by 50% by 2012!
Our county, Hampshire strikes me as one which is very switched on about the importance of IP and their eHampshire team have been very helpful in helping us assess the options. We are also interested in a Smart Working initiative which they are encouraging us to adopt; and at their prompting we are considering converting one of the units into a hot desking centre, like a mini-Regus centre. Is there a demand for such services on a small basis - we are not certain? However we are planning as part of the range of additional services when the fibre is in place to offer free wireless hotspots at both Shedfield Grange Farm Business Park and Shedfield House Dairy Business Centre. A service aimed at customers visiting businesses on site allowing them to access online from their car or in a meeting in the offices.
By investing in the facilities and IT infrastructure on the Estate, we of course believe that we will be able to charge higher rents longer term, have higher occupancy and also provide a strong platform for the businesses based here for when the economy starts to improve. None of us know where the economy is heading currently, but in our view, there is no question that IP focused companies will be in the vanguard of the recovery.
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