We are often asked by schools why it is that the broadband connection costs so much more than those available for the home. The answer is that they are quite different. School connections in Sandwell are 10mb fibre optical links. These are the latest high technology and are 'future-proof', their capacity can easily be increased in the future. Home connections (e.g. ADSL) are based on ordinary copper-based telephone cables and have limitations.

This infrastructure is the modern equivalent of the mains electricity connections made to schools a century ago. Initially, electricity in schools powered only lights and heating, gradually other services were added which were never envisaged when power was first provided; radios, Tannoy/public address systems, stage lighting, television, video recorders, and computers all became necessary features of schools as the years rolled by, each dependent upon electricity. It is anticipated that the same will be true of high quality broadband and Internet services. Currently, only fibre optical cabling offers such expandability.

The DfES have specified minimum standards for school broadband connections. These are; a minimum of 2mb for Primary schools and 8mb for Secondary schools. In Sandwell, we have provided every school with 10mb because in common with many metropolitan areas, 10mb is as cheap as 2mb.

DfES guidance for schools discourages the use of ADSL connections such as those available in the home except when no other alternative is available. ADSL connections are known as a contended services, i.e. the user typically shares the connection with at least 20 other users, the less you pay the more users share the connection. Typically, ADSL allows more data in than out, which limits its suitability for Video Conferencing.

Sandwell schools currently pay under £3000 each, per year for their connections. This is a subsidised charge and includes Internet access, content and virus filtering, firewall protection, video conferencing and intrusion detection (anti-hacking). The Sandwell service is a fully managed service, monitoring and managing the broadband network up to the connection point in each school.

Nationally, costs for broadband connections vary from as low as £6,300 per school per year to over £13,000 per year (unsubsidised). The variability depends upon the locality and the range of services provided. London and the South East enjoy the lowest costs, rural areas the highest.