Graham recently challenged broadband providers to ‘up their game’ in South Holderness.
Graham said, “I received complaints from constituents in Holmpton who were struggling to find a decent broadband provider. At the same time, Quickline Communications asked me to support their QuickZONE - wireless internet to pubs promotion. So, I challenged Quickline to connect the George & Dragon at Holmpton”.
Jane Girling, Landlady of the George and Dragon explains, “When I heard about the Quickline campaign to provide free broadband to pubs, I didn’t enquire as this area doesn’t even receive a mobile phone signal, we’re in a real black spot and I didn’t think it could be possible. However, a number of Holmpton residents had complained to our local MP, Graham Stuart about our 0.2Mb connection. Mr Stuart recommended Quickline contact us regarding their ‘Connecting Communities’ campaign and to my amazement, their engineers got us up and running within an hour.
“The first day we were connected, I switched on my computer and iTunes started downloading songs I had requested over two years ago. The bar area now receives speeds up to 20Mb but the main thing is we have a consistent connection and can now watch films via the internet, shop online and use social media, we could never have done that on our old connection. We are promoting the new service to customers who are welcome to drop in to check their emails and surf the internet, it’s fantastic.”
Graham continues, “Wireless broadband is available now and offers a breakthrough service for people in rural Holderness. I’m impressed with what I’ve seen of Quickline broadband and encourage constituents to give it consideration.
“Later that day, I visited Withernsea Adult Education Centre to present free mobile broadband ‘dongles’ from the Mobile Telephone operator ‘Three’. These dongles give a connection using the mobile telephone network; anybody with a device within range of the dongle can log-on using the security code. This brings a great benefit to adult education providers as courses can be delivered at any location provided there is a mobile telephone signal, meaning that they can reach out further into the community.
“The delivery of broadband services in never going to be a case of ‘one size fits all’ and it is good to see communities across Holderness are taking the initiative to investigate the options available to them. East Riding of Yorkshire Council has begun the process of meeting with suppliers for the roll-out of superfast broadband across the county although it is unlikely that residents will see a tangible benefit from this project within the next 12 months.
“After years of neglect by a Labour Government, we were left behind with broadband service delivery; I am pleased that we are making up lost ground and that a mix of technologies are entering the market to provide a fast and reliable service for business, education and the home.”
