Tuesday, December 16, 2003

This Friday 19th December, 3-C (Calder Connect Co-operative) are launching wireless broadband with demonstrations of public broadband wireless hotspots in Hebden Bridge and Todmorden.

3-C is already the main supplier of broadband in Hebden Bridge with over 80 connections since October, and is now extending into the wider Upper Valley. The hotspots are being set up in alliance with MyZones Ltd who are the leaders in public access hotspots.

Local hotspots will be at

• Lees Yard, Hebden Bridge as part of the more general Upper Calder Valley Renaissance day.
• Organic House, Market Street, Hebden Bridge
• Shoulder of Mutton, Hebden Bridge
• The Bear, Todmorden

At these hotspots, people will be able to connect wirelessly to the Internet. Demonstrations of audio and video conferencing between these hotspots will also take place. 3-C will be staffing the hotspot at Lees Yard continuously from 1pm until 9pm, and the other hotspots will have 3-C representatives on hand to provide technical information most of the time.

The chair of the 3-C community co-operative, Mark Harrison said, "We are pioneering new territory. 3-C is the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) to be run by its members, and have a business model involving wired and wireless broadband. We are already making waves throughout the country and being seen as a model for community broadband development."

The hotspots at the Bear, Shoulder of Mutton and Organic House will continue beyond 19th December so 3-C members will be able to use their wireless enabled laptops while drinking coffee or having a pint. Ambitious plans are under way to give Mytholmroyd a wireless hotspot early in the new year, several weeks before wired broadband activation for the area.

Further information about 3-C or community broadband may be obtained from the 3-C website at www.3-c.coop or by phoning 0845 456 1793.

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