Following Sandgate Community Trust's successful application for a £50,000 grant from Kent County Council, CommunityUK has been chosen to provide Sandgate with its WiFi broadband service.

The service provides residents with a gateway to the internet which offers:

Free Webmail (CUKmail)

Support for learners of all ages (CUKlearning)

An on-line employment/job-seeking system (CUKcareers)

Local news and information

Internet Radio (CUKradio)

Social Networking (CUKsocial)

Support for small businesses through the CUKbiz channel

CUKkids, comprehensive Channel for youngsters of all ages.

CommunityUK.net was the only company that offered a real community aspect to their broadband proposal plus their business model means that they can provide a free service with no set up or on-going user maintenance costs.

Sandgate has been divided into three zones and the first, the Valley, will have the initial installation but it is expected that all three zones will be live by the end of the first quarter in 2012.

The monthly costs for this service will be:
Up to 2Mbps FREE
Up to 4Mbps £3.99
Up to 8 Mbps £7.99

It is estimated that 70%-80% of Sandgate residents will get the free service when first set up.

Sandgate will be one of the first communities in Kent to get a free broadband service.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©