You might have seen the UK’s Digital Champion, Martha Lane Fox, in the news recently. She was asked by the last Government to focus in on the issue of getting more people online and was reappointed to continue her quest by David Cameron.
For those of us familiar with the world wide web it’s easy to forget that it’s not ubiquitous. We live in a connected world. One which allows you to order your food shopping, book your flights, organise your finances and video call to Australia, all in a couple of clicks of a mouse. Isn’t everyone a part of it? Well, apparently not.
The Government reports that 40 million of us are currently making the most of these e-benefits, but it still takes me by surprise that 10 million of us aren’t. And that’s where Martha comes in.
Race Online 2012, the campaign spearheaded by Martha Lane Fox to connect the unconnected, is gaining momentum, and I’m incredibly proud that we’re the first mobile operator to pledge our support.
We kicked things off yesterday at a community library in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. Along with Martha Lane Fox, Helen Milner from UK Online Centres and Communications Minister, Ed Vaizey MP, we unveiled the Three Mobile Broadband Bus.
The Bus will be travelling the country – from festivals to shopping centres – to help people discover the benefits of getting online. Our vision is to show, not tell. To physically demonstrate what getting online can do for you, and how easy and affordable it can be. Our ‘Get Online’ days will be run by specialist trainers from UK online centres and go towards our commitment to Race Online 2012 to get more than 100,000 new people using the internet. We’re doing lots more besides, and we’ll update you on these activities and how you can get involved over the coming months.
There’s a reason why we think we’re in a great position to help drive forward this programme. We’ve invested all the time, money and energy at our disposal to make our 3G network the biggest and most reliable in the UK. Not only that but we’ve just been voted Number One in the UK for Mobile Broadband by YouGov’s most recent independent survey too – a hugely proud moment for us.
We think we’re in a unique position to help connect those that fixed line can’t reach, and we’re continuing to grow our network at a rapid pace. In fact, by the end of this year, we’ll reach over 98% of you with our purely 3G network.
So look out for our bus (it’s hard to miss!). We’ll keep the blog up-to-date with its timetable.
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I’m very much looking forward to trying it out; though I fear the strength of temptation once I get my hands on it!!
@AJE – Good news, the Nokia N8 is on the bus…
@AJE – No not impatient, just keen
I’m waiting to hear back from the bus team to see if they have an N8 on board…
Did I really come across as being so impatient? Apologies if I did!!
So, a day out to the Trafford Centre, then. I don’t suppose we’d get a sneak preview of the N8, would we?
@ AJE – Sorry I know you’re keen to know where our bus is heading and I’ve been keen to tell you – check here to see where you can meet up with the team and check out our new products.
@Moderator – Well, it’s Tuesday. No bus update?
@AJE – We’ll have a bus update for you on Monday. It’s at Bristol Balloon Fiesta this weekend though…
No further news on the bus’s timetable?
@Gary Moncrieff – Thanks I’ll pass your feedback on to the bus team Gary
Keep an eye on the blog to see where they are heading.
I would just like to thank ANUJA GAIKWAD at 3 for providing “outstanding customer service” – showing she has qualities beyond what any customer would expect in an provider.
If the pencilled site goes live in my area in October I would advise you bring the bus over the water and tour N. Ireland as well. N. Ireland has the biggest uptake of mobile phones in the UK (93% of households last year and rising very day) and it represents a good opportunity once your 3G network covers the land. With your sister company 3 Ireland covering the South so well and the excellent roaming rates it makes for a very compelling package.
@Phil Graham – Keep an eye on the blog and we’ll keep you posted with where the bus is heading.
Where will the bus be going?
I’ve been using 3 mobile broadband since October 07. I’m going to be upgrading my MIFI router this month…. Who needs a landline eh?
Well done 3,a good way to promote mobile broad-band and your network. I think you’ll pick up new customers who don’t want to have to a phone line and line rental costs just to get broad-band. Virgin and BTs loss will be your gain.
Please Kevin bring 3G to Co. Fermanagh, Vodafone have turned it on in places now but their prices are way too high.