The business consortium of Highlands and Islands-based creative companies (see notes) formed to deliver the "Speak up for Broadband" campaign in the region, is an excellent example of how the technology stands to benefit the area, according to the campaign manager.

The Naver Technology Group consortium consists of companies from Thurso, Orkney, Inverness, Bonar Bridge, Strathpeffer and Ardersier, with only the media placement function being carried out by an Edinburgh agency.  Its contract-winning proposals, backed by on-line technologies, meant the campaign could be delivered for the most part by contractors based in the Highlands and Islands.

The consortium is fronted by the Caithness-based Naver Technology Group and the project is being managed by Alistair Murray.  "The broadband contract highlights a working model for the region whereby specialists seek each other out and form working alliances to deliver solutions for any customer", he said.  "This requires strong minds, the will to build relationships based on trust and the specialist skills needed to manage those relationships and, for many, it will be a radical new way of working.

"The introduction of broadband will afford better communications to bind players together. Right now in our area most internet connections are relatively slow and you have to dial up and pay for the time you are online. Broadband channels allow users to be "always on", making internet access a real utility, just like hydro-electricity or tap water. I hope that other Highlands and Islands groups take heart from this success and not only speak up for broadband, but speak up for themselves and the future of business in the Highlands and Islands."

The "Speak up for Broadband" campaign was launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), as part of a major investment to convert internet access in the region from a luxury to a utility.  So far it has helped to generate over 5,500 new registrations of interest, helping to trigger further investment in broadband infrastructure.

Head of knowledge economy at HIE, Calum Davidson, said:  "It is entirely appropriate, and we very much welcome the fact, that those delivering this important campaign for us in the Highlands and Islands are advocates of the technology.  This makes the campaign itself a viable demonstration of what broadband really means for the region; that companies can work better together to deliver the sort of solutions that we might normally associate with a contractor from the south."

In a separate move HIE is also setting up community wireless broadband demonstrations in six locations across the Highlands and Islands not covered by mainstream ADSL.  The first of these, covering Cromarty on the Black Isle, is due to become operational at the end of the month.

Meanwhile demand has led to the announcement last week that local exchanges in Forres, Oban, Buckie, Dingwall, Fort William and Nairn are to be upgraded this summer to deliver broadband to these communities via ADSL.

Local businesses and members of the public who have not yet registered their interest in receiving broadband in their communities are still being urged to do so, either on the HIE website (www.hie.co.uk) or by calling the broadband hotline on 0800 027 23 27.