EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Improving public internet access

Improving public internet access

Introduction

The Public Internet Access Point Initiative was implemented in Scotland in order to widen public internet access, target disadvantaged groups and raise information and communications technology literacy.

Problem

The Executive’s stated aims for the initiative were:

to improve public access to the web in areas of Scotland where access is poor;
to encourage more people, including those in disadvantaged communities and disadvantaged individuals to access the web; and
to improve the information and communications technology literacy rate in the Scottish population.

The initiative’s objective was to provide web access in the places people already go, such as shops, pubs, post offices, hairdressers and community centres.

Description

This report:

presents an evaluation of the Scottish Executive's Public Internet Access Point initiative;
assesses how well the programme has met its objectives;
explores the types of people using the Public Internet Access Points, the kind of support that users need and their levels of satisfaction with the service;
considers the hosts' views of running an access point, their marketing and publicity activities and support needs which they have identified;
highlights some of the key issues which have emerged from the research; and
assesses the programme's overall value for money.

Approach

The initiative was open to both the public and private sector with Public Internet Access Points being placed into venues where people already go as a part of their every day lives. Successful applicant venues were provided with up to four internet packages - PCs, printers, software, office furniture, support and training. In return, the host venues offered internet access to the general public at a cost of no more than £1 per hour for no less than 40 hours per week. The initiative closed down in March 2004 with the total cost of around £4.5 million.

Results

The initiative’s policy of putting cheap or free internet access in places where people already go is working. Users choose to use the Public Internet Access Points because they are convenient, cheap or free and often provide a comfortable environment. They have provided access to around 100,000 users who lack home access, and around 40,000 users who have no other public access. They have been particularly effective in attracting unemployed users and have had a greater impact on disadvantaged areas. However they have not succeeded in attracting older people to any great extent, and are not a particularly effective way of getting new people to use the internet.

Beneficiaries

The Scottish population, particularly those in disadvantaged communities and those with poor access to the internet.

Resources used

Complete internet packages for high volumes of potential users are essential, as are the right Internet Access Point venues to host the services. Information and communications technology training for support staff is seen as crucial to the success of the initiative.

Contact info

Scottish Executive
Alison Morris (Policy Officer), tel. +44 131 556 8400

Project start date

01/03/2002

Links

Scottish Executive Hall Aitken, Social and Economic Regeneration Consultants

Evaluation of the Public Internet Access Point Initiative (PDF, Eng, 380KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Keywords

Skills improvement