LGfL takes school broadband push national

The London Grid for Learning (LGfL), which has supplied ultrafast broadband to more than 1.2 million children at around 3,000 schools in the capital, is to be renamed as the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) as it begins operating UK-wide.

LGfL, which has previously worked alongside Virgin, has acquired the NGfL trademark, which previously belonged to a Government edtech scheme that had been dissolved in 2010.

As NGfL, it will seek to help schools across the UK through spending over £50 million in funding an internet network for schools. This network will give schools access to minimum broadband speeds of 100 MB, with the majority expected to be transitioned to between 500 MBPS and 1GBPS.

Upgrades will come at no additional costs to the schools. Upgrades will also aim to replace old equipment in schools, usually without having to change existing firewalls or routers.

The network will also have the capacity to support a transition to Cloud computing and will be equipped to keep both students and data safe and secure, through a built-in defence system called CyberCloud. This comprises a seven-layer security infrastructure which includes internet filters, double firewalling and access to free Malwarebytes licences.

It has been reported that the first to benefit from the expansion are around 80 schools in Essex, which are reportedly having their old copper broadband lines replaced at a discounted rate.

JEdtech Strategist and LGfL CEO John Jackson said: “We feel very proud that we are now custodians of the NGfL trademark and felt it should be preserved and cherished.”

“LGfL believes that a new NGfL is about the digital transformation of UK education. It is a much broader ambition combining digital innovation, next generation networking, cloud computing, professional development, cost reduction, creative skills and wider organisational change.”

“Looking ahead, our intention is to make LGfL the Global Cloud for Learning, so watch this space.”