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www.fareham.gov.uk

Fareham has a population of 108,000 in 44,000 homes and covers almost 30 square miles of southern Hampshire midway between Portsmouth and Southampton.

Fareham is a mixture of rural countryside and urban development which includes Fareham, Portchester, Stubbington, Hill Head, Locks Heath, Titchfield, Warsash and Sarisbury. Fareham has the largest proportion of home owner-occupiers in the South East.

Around 2,700 businesses trade from Fareham, with clusters at Broadcut, Newgate Lane, Segensworth, Solent Business Park(adjacent to Junction 9 on the M27) and the Cams Estate, all benefiting from the strategic link of the M27, proximity to Southampton Airport and cross-Channel links. Larger employers include National Air Traffic Services, Telsis and the Office for National Statistics. The technology driven SME has driven economic growth, from within the area as well as through inward investment. In 2002, Fareham was the 4th most profitable place to do business in the UK.

Fareham & the Internet

Fareham has also been dubbed 'Virtual London’ by the telecommunications industry. The proximity and capacity of connectivity available in the Borough is second to none outside of Europe’s Internet hub, London. Direct nodal access to a choice of suppliers is available.

62% of residents have direct access to the Internet, of whom 54% have access at home which is greater than the National average (FBC Residents’ Survey 2004). All 5 of Fareham’s BT exchanges are DSL enabled.

Support for businesses

Under the 'Virtual London’ brand, the Council offers free, objective, and timely advice on connectivity and relocation issues and has enabled the installation of fresh nodes and services in the Borough by matching demand from all sectors with proactive service providers.

Faretec, offers hi-quality offices, on inclusive or rent only deals, with nodal Gb connectivity. Occupiers benefit from using an existing installation and lower local loop costs.

Support for the wider community

Fareham Borough Council was one of the first organisations to support the Hampshire Broadband Project (HBP). The Council provides advice and help to the HBP team to deliver initiatives in the Borough. The Council sees the Project as a major foundation stone for effective e-governance.

The Borough’s Local Strategic Partnership, networkfareham, led by the Council, has already identified the need to support the availability of cost-effective broadband services.

The Council regularly hosts events aimed at issues surrounding connectivity and technology through its Fareham Technology Forum and promotes the concept of the ‘e-Borough’ - making intelligent use of technology that is already around and benefiting early from the best of what is around the corner.

As an example, to support the work of Fareham’s community groups, the iCyc project offers free refurbished PCs, software and IT training.

For further information please ring 01329 824507 or email e-envoy@fareham.gov.uk