Annandale TV web portal launches
Written by admin on July 6, 2012
Annandale TV represents the next stage of the Pathfinder South Annan Broadband project. This exciting new website features a short daily news bulletin and videos of interest to people in Annan and further afield.
You can find Annandale TV on www.annandale.urtv.co.uk
The Annan Broadband project team hopes to encourage wider use of broadband connections and promote digital participation as well as testing how superfast broadband can be brought to rural areas efficiently.
The Pathfinder South Broadband project in Annan receives £240,000 from the Scottish Government to support the project as a whole.
Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Alex Neil,
said, “High quality digital access and faster internet speeds are a necessity for Scotland and our economy. Everyone should have access to and the ability to participate in the digital revolution that has the potential to transform lives and bring communities, like Annan, together. With the launch of the new web TV portal, we welcome the development of a greater choice of broadcasting content for viewers in the area.
“We are working with local authorities and the private sector to ensure that rural communities can benefit from our ambitious broadband plan.
Getting the right infrastructure in place is part of the solution and one which will bring public and private enterprise together to deliver faster internet access for the people in Scotland, wherever they live.”
Chair of Planning and Environment Services, Councillor Ian Carruthers, said, “The web portal is an integral part of the project and will help to motivate people in Annan to get online. I am impressed with the amount of local information that is already on the site. In the future I hope to see more features including public health information, a local directory and features from around Annandale and Eskdale. I know the team is keen to benefit local creative businesses when possible.”
Chair of the Annan Masterplan Steering Group, Councillor Sean Marshall, said, “Improved digital connectivity is a key aim of the Annan Masterplan. We have on first glance a very impressive community media channel that will be able to provide current local news, features and advertisements. That will raise the profile of business and community groups in Annan and the wider Annandale and Eskdale area. It also has the potential to be an ideal, practical learning tool for local media students as well as keeping ex-Annanites across the world up to date with what is going on in their homel town. My sister who works for NATO in Germany is already logging in on a daily basis and is very impressed.”
Annandale TV is hoping to involve the community and is looking for volunteers to run the online channel. If you have filming experience or if you are keen to put your community interests online, please contact Paul Kelbie at Annandale TV on Paul@urtv.co.uk Experience is not essential because training can be provided.
The next generation of superfast broadband is already being rolled-out around the UK. Rural areas like Dumfries and Galloway could be left behind by the market, so the Scottish Government is working with Dumfries and Galloway Council to design and implement a project that will explore how the existing Pathfinder network – which is currently only available to the local authority –can be used to successfully deliver next generation broadband to the wider community. The project will pilot the opening up of the Pathfinder network to nearly 70 businesses and residencies around Annan, and is expected to be up and running in late summer 2012 and will continue into 2013.
The project is supported by Scottish Government, Dumfries and Galloway Council and other partners including the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Magnox Ltd.
