Broadband is a generic description for a fast Internet connection. Most folks would agree that anything much above 256 Kbps counts as broadband and compared to using a dial up modem connection for internet access broadband is subsequently more efficient. Broadband is usually always on so you don't have to wait for a modem to dial in, you just start working stright away and emails come when they are written rather than once or twice per day.

Broadband also opens up many more posibilities for Internet usage such as remote working from home and voice/video links. It is rapidly becomming essential for students, businesses and indeed everyone to be able to connect and use modern web-based services.

The availability of a fast, reliable and affordable Broadband internet service is a vital ingredient for the future sustainability and vitality of Staffordshire's rural communities. Not only does the latest internet technology provide access to important public information and services to rural communities, it is also an essential part of retaining, developing and promoting rural economy. These objectives are a key focus for rural regeneration strategies and action plans in Staffordshire.

The obvious disadvantages to communities without access to Broadband, compared with those who have access, was the focus for community consultation event held at Rudyard in March 2004, where over 150 community campaigners, key partners and members of the rural community, were given a presentation by Advantage West Midlands about the proposed Rural Broadband Access Project under the Regional Broadband Initiative. The event identified clearly the desire and demand from Staffordshire's rural communities for Broadband.

For many of the people in the eight Staffordshire non viable exchange areas, living in the rural area is a lifestyle choice, be it for employment, such as agriculture, tourism or craft related businesses, or for a better quality of life to live and work away from overcrowded towns and cities. other people have lived in rural communities for successive generations or have moved for retirement purposes. The lack of employment and business opportunities has led to depopulation in the rural areas, with often younger generations seeking employment and training in urban locations. These issues have contributed to some of Staffordshire's rural communities lagging behind, and the lack of the prospect of a fast, reliable and affordable Broadband service compared to areas that do have access, has led towards an increasing sense of isolation.

The availability of Broadband across these areas will contirbute to solving some of these problems and help to stabilise and sustain rural communities, keep jobs in the rural areas and hence maintain existing levels of rural services. The availability of Broadband will also have environmental benefits by,

• Reducing the need for commuting through providing the opportunity to work from home.
• Reducing transportation costs and therefore levels of pollution and congestion on urban roads.
• Reusing redundant or derelict rural buildings to accommodate new or footloose existing businesses.

There is a lot more info available at ADSL Guide