Bridging the digital divide is a common refrain in the world of e-government but here at Islington, we believe it means more than just making the technology available.
Currently Islington has the largest ‘hotzone’ in London covering one full mile. Once the 1.3mile expansion has been completed in January 2006, it will take pole position as the largest hotzone in the country. Known as ‘StreetNet’, the network sets the standard for the growing phenomena of wi-fi access in urban areas.
Funded by the council in partnership with urban digital network providers, Cityspace, the scheme gives anyone living or working within 300 metres of Upper Street, with a wireless enabled device, free high-speed broadband internet access. StreetNet takes the user straight to a tailor-made Islington Council landing page featuring a menu of council services, local information and free access to the worldwide web.
So whether you’re surfing the internet while sitting on a park bench, having a drink in a bar, or picking up emails while waiting to see your GP, the possibilities are endless.
Taking technology to the people
But before you think that our target audience is limited to laptop-wielding highflyers brokering deals over lunch, think again.
A key aim of the project is to make emerging technologies accessible to all. Islington is a borough of socio-economic extremes. On the one hand, we are seen as home to the chattering classes, with a wealth of restaurants, bars and trendy boutiques. On the other hand we are recognised as the sixth most deprived authority in the country, with unemployment at around 6%.
While implementing the technology is the easy part, we were more concerned about the resident who couldn’t afford to buy a wireless device, whether a palmtop or laptop. Our challenge therefore was to help disenfranchised residents to see and seize the benefits of technology so they don’t get left behind.
So we decided the best means of reaching this target audience was to enlist the support of third parties. The project team embarked on a campaign of persuasion, to get as many local restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars along the route to provide the PC hardware and facilities in their premises, so people who don’t otherwise have access can pop along to a local business and make use of the technology.
We sought to make the case from a commercial point of view, explaining how the lure of free internet access could act as a boon to business. But it’s not just top-end private businesses that are offering people a gateway to the internet. The council has been encouraging drop-in centres across the voluntary, and community sectors, including a church café, to pilot free PC equipment. This is enabling less privileged groups of the community to access everything from council services to transport information and the wider web. It also encourages our partners in the community to consider investing in the service long term.
We have also installed a pilot PC in the waiting room of a local osteopath allowing customers to surf the net whilst waiting for their appointment.
In addition to StreetNet, the council has been offering IT access to residents who may not otherwise have the means, for a number of years. We provide free internet access at local libraries and our 20 Islington Online centres, which offer computer courses to residents. We will shortly be providing Islington Museum with a PC for visitors wishing to research their family history.
The targeted approach of StreetNet appears to be working. Our research has shown that most of the 800 users a week, are using StreetNet to access council information and services, job vacancies, travel, childcare and other agency services.
The future is bright
Expanding the zone by 1.3 miles has not simply been a geographical exercise. The move homes in on the Holloway Road - historically the less privileged end of the borough. We are also planning to expand into some of the most deprived housing estates representing a direct reach-out to the people who need it most.
The scope for future development is very much in the hands of the users, who are regularly coming up with practical ideas to develop uses for the network.
Recently the police have seen the potential of installing small wireless webcams in crime hotspots or in areas where they can enhance surveillance operations at little extra cost.
Businesses are also seeing the value of being able to adapt the technology. For example, a local drycleaners, will soon be installing infrared CCTV using the wireless broadband provision to provide low cost security.
In time this technology will also mean council services being more efficiently delivered to our customers. Surveyors will be able to access accurate records of service supplies in any street in the borough and highways inspectors will be able to send high resolution photographs of damaged pavements direct to the maintenance team, greatly speeding up repairs.
In addition, we are hoping to leapfrog on the technology, improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities and expanding facilities for adult learning.
Our belief is that if technology does not break down barriers and increase access to information, it can actually intensify social division. So don’t just put the tools out there for people to pick up, take them to the very people who need them the most. Do that and the e-revolution truly has the potential to improve lives.
Autor: Cllr Terry Stacy
Quelle: eGov monitor, 16.01.2006
