We have collected the following links to resources hosted on third-party websites which we believe you may find useful. Solihull and Warwickshire councils are not responsible for the content of these links or the content of any third-party websites. Users visit these links at their own risk.

Benefits of Superfast Broadband

Broadband speed and availability checkers

For impartial information:

Which? Speed Test

You can also use various comparison websites to check this – we’ve listed a few below. Please remember that comparison sites work by receiving a commission from the ISPs and may not list all of the available options. Therefore you may want to try several such sites before making a decision:

fasterbroadband.co.uk – service that provides members of the public with information about the telecommunication services that can be accessed in their area.
BT Broadband Availability Checker – a BT broadband availability checker which provides a provisional check of your ability to receive reliable broadband services.
broadbanddeals.co.uk – Ofcom accredited broadband, phone and TV comparison website that uses a postcode checker tool to help users find the best deals in their local areas.
broadbandgenie.co.uk – compare UK broadband supplier prices and deals.
broadbandchoices.co.uk – Ofcom accredited broadband, phone and TV comparison service offering lots of information on broadband including a selection of useful guides.
broadbandswitch.co.uk – Comparison service for UK broadband supplier prices and deals. Also provides a number of useful guides and broadband tools.
cable.co.uk – provides free impartial, expert advice on broadband, TV and phone deals to UK consumers.

Residents

thinkbroadband.com – a guide to broadband and Internet Service Providers.
samknows.com – an independent website providing information about broadband availability and speed.
skype.com – a commonly used VoIP system, for both home and business.
o2.co.uk/parents – gives lots of helpful tips on how to make sure that your children are safe when browsing.
choose.net/media/guide/ – commentary on the latest media news.
getsafeonline.org/safeguarding-children/ – safeguarding children.

Business

Federation of Small Businesses
officevideoconferencing.com – a website providing information on video conferencing.
Google Marketplace – free and paid-for SaaS applications.
Google Apps – SaaS apps to meet all your business needs.
5 ways your business can benefit from superfast broadband

Community

Digital Unite – one of the UK’s main providers of digital skills learning.
Rural Broadband Partnership – find broadband campaigns in your area.
BT Community Web Kit – giving local community groups, associations etc the chance to develop their own website for free.
Country Land and Business Association – charter on rural broadband.
socialtechtrust.org – a UK charity founded to provide support to organisations and projects working to increase access to the internet, online safety and education.
Independent Networks Cooperative Association Limited

Government

The Final Third First Campaign – a campaign and blog to bring broadband to rural areas.
broadbanduk.org – the industry-government forum for tackling strategic issues across the converging broadband value chain.
onlinecentresnetwork.org – the UK online centres network was set up by government in 1999 to provide public access to computers.
Broadband Delivery UK – BDUK was created as a delivery vehicle for the government’s policies on broadband.
gov.uk – the main UK governmental website giving access to a wide range of online services.