Church of England partners with company to provide fast broadband

The Church of England has partnered with a company called WiSpire to launch a broadband service across rural areas in the UK.

This will help to meet David Cameron’s pledge to bring superfast broadband to every home in the UK by 2020.

Collaboration

The Church has launched the service through a company called WiSpire, and has so far provided wireless internet from 47 churches in Norfolk. It is now working on guidelines to help deliver the service to local people.

With many of the churches being listed buildings, WiSpire is aiming to design the service in a way that does not create any visual damage to the buildings.

Whilst there has been concerns over health impacts from the wireless signals, WiSpire Chief Executive Steve Maine said that there is evidence to suggest that the service is safe.

Benefits

Rural Affairs Minister Rory Stewart stated that the Government is now working closely with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to take advantage of the “technological opportunities” that the use of the churches will bring.

In addition to Norfolk’s churches providing superfast broadband for locals, several churches outside of the area are now also internet providers - including St Cyriac and St Julitta in Swaffham Prior, Cambridgeshire.

South East Churches Conservation Trust Director Peter Aiers said that installing broadband in the Grade II listed building will add “a much-needed, 21st-century facility for the local community.”