Cambridge Ahead set to create 'hyper-connected city'

A team from the business group Cambridge Ahead has launched a new initiative to help local businesses choose the right broadband network.

The broadband capacity matrix, developed by entrepreneurs and people from the county's businesses and universities, will help businesses decide whether their connectivity capacity is appropriate based on their likely usage and number of employees.

Faye Holland, chair of the Connecting Cambridge group, said: "The requirements and options for business-level internet connectivity have changed immensely over recent years and there is often a lack of understanding as to what level of connectivity a company should be implementing to meet their needs.

"The matrix provides businesses simple guidance on the levels of connectivity capacity requirements appropriate to their needs".

The tool also offers advice on the best connectivity method, outlining the pros and cons for a range of different connections, including satellite, DSL, leased lines and fixed broadband.

The launch of the capacity matrix is part of the Connecting Cambridge team's bid to transform Cambridge into a hyper-connected city.

Other projects in the pipeline include a crowd-sourced initiative to identify points of connectivity weakness in the county, whether mobile or fixed.

The project, which is set to go live in early 2016, will use crowd-sourced data to map wireless coverage across the city, allowing Cambridge Ahead to pinpoint 'not-spots' - areas where connectivity needs to be improved.

Ensuring all homes and businesses have access to superfast broadband is a top priority for Cambridge - a city that has gained a reputation as a 'tech city' thanks to its booming tech industry.

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(Image: Wikimedia Commons - Andrew Dunn)