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Portsmouth is a modern and dynamic city that offers a prime location for industry, commerce, leisure and pleasure. It has a resident population of 187,000 and 6,100 businesses employing 100,000 people.

World-renowned as the home of the Royal Navy it is also home to leading edge companies such as BAE Systems, EADS Astrium, IBM UK, McLaren Composites, Pall Europe and VT shipbuilding.

It is also a well-connected city. In addition to being a UK and mainland European transport gateway it is well served by telecommunications networks from multiple providers.

Broadband Access for Residents and Business - Portsmouth City Council is keen to ensure that both its residents and business communities have access to broadband technology. It is seen as an important resource for learning, information exchange, service delivery and competitiveness, and that all contribute to the continued growth of the local economy.

For example the City Council has had a leading role in the following over recent years:

For residents through Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) programmes IT Suites in the Buckland Community Centre, John Pounds Centre and Navigators Resource Centre and a Telecottage in Landport have been established to provide local internet access points. In addition the Connecting Paulsgrove and Wymering Project has been implemented to provide internet connection facilities to reduce isolation and increase access to jobs and training opportunities for members of these communities.

For entrepreneurs and new businesses the Portsmouth Technopole (www.oxin.co.uk/pt) is an innovation centre situated in a gateway location at the end of the M275 motorway. It is also a virtual gateway for its tenants because in addition to high quality serviced offices on monthly licence terms, it also offers a professional support infrastructure that includes broadband internet access. Bespoke business support services are also provided at the Technopole by the Solent Enterprise Hub (www.solenthub.co.uk) and are available to tenants and other businesses.

Opened in April 2002 it is now home to 60 businesses creating a thriving community of entrepreneurs and technology related companies. This community spirit is characterised by some working together to gain a competitive edge in shared areas of interest or providing expertise and advice to their neighbours.

For more information please call 023 9284 1074 or email invest@portsmouthcc.gov.uk