Other broadband options

[Trapper]

With the Link2ICT new pricing imminently due for release, and a % increase on the 10MB line has any LA controlled Birmingham school gone down their own route for broadband access and filtering?

 

I've heard stories ranging from "Yes, you can, but it's your arse if the filtering isn't tight" to "No you can't, it's a statutory requirement to have the internet from your LEA.", but of course the truth is usually half way inbetween.

[john]

AFAIK there is no legal or statutory requirement to take your Internet from your RBC, unless this is something special for your area. Many people are discussing it in depth and options of late so I am sure you will find plenty of results with a search to get you started.

[irsprint84]

Nope, we're moving and other schools are we're having 2 x sonicwall in HA mode

[GrumbleDook]

AFAIK there is no legal or statutory requirement to take your Internet from your RBC, unless this is something special for your area. Many people are discussing it in depth and options of late so I am sure you will find plenty of results with a search to get you started.

 

There may be several contractual reasons not to leave depending on how the procurement of the RBC provision was done. It will vary from LA to LA and RBC to RBC. You need to speak with your local folk to talk through this.

[Rob_Wilkinson]

Just to let you know Smoothwall have been invited to run a mini-conference in Birmingham the week after half-term to present our options for Web Filtering and full UTM. If you'd be interested in attending, please contact us as you may find it useful to speak to other network managers in the same situation :

 

Tel +44 (0) 113 387 4172

[tom_newton]

Thanks Rob - just to add to that a bit, sometimes, when i've been good, I get let out of the office to attend these sort of things - and from a technical point of view they're usually pretty interesting. Yes, we get to stand at the front for 15 minutes and show off our kit, and sometimes ISPs like to join in and display their wires, but for me, the interesting bit is chatting to folk over a cup of steaming joe before and after the "main event". Gives a good insight into how people are taking different approaches to the whole connectivity issue.

[Trapper]

Could you send me the details please Rob, and does it cost (always the cost element!)

[tom_newton]

@Trapper: PM me your contact details and I will make sure Rob gets details out to you - there's no cost to attend the meeting, and you may even manage to wangle a free lucnh out of it?!

[akuma]

hey guys, im thinking of shifting from bgfl also, has anyone manage to move recently and if so any good deals out there?

[ICTRambling]

Apologies for cross posting but there appear to be two discussion on this, see:

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/internet-related-filtering-firewall/91964-broadband-provider-thinking-leaving-bgfl-internet-2.html

I've provided a brief update on this other thread.