Due to the new fibre network project, Bournemouth residents will not only benefit from super-fast speed internet but will also be able to use quality online TV.

Homes, businesses, hospitals and educational facilities will be connected to fibre network, which allows internet access of 100mps and ensures that all of the frustration of broadband will be a thing of the past.  

The company responsible for this, H2O Networks Ltd, began Bournemouth transformation in September and recently, the Fibre city team works on rolling out the fibre optic network to the BH10 and BH11 postcode areas. The team is also publicising to households and businesses to become part of ‘Fibrecity’ for free. ‘H2O provides the project at the cost of approximately £30 million. However it plans to provide broadband service through a third party. The service provider has yet to be announced and they will be responsible for setting their own pricing tariffs.’ says H2O PR Officer, Fiona Whyatt.

The increased speed provided by fibre optics, may lead to the replacement of conventional TV to Internet TV.

David Allen, staff writer for Techwatch.co.uk, said: ‘Fibre to the homes will provide greater accessibility to online TV channels, which will change our perception of Television. People will have the opportunity to watch good quality online TV, changing the tradition of cable TV as it is today’.

Commenting on the issue, Stephen Gaynor, Corporate Communications Manager of SKY, said that cable providers will face great challenges to compete with online TV. As a result, cable providers may have to reconsider relations towards online TV in order to catch up on deals.

William Geldart, Bournemouth resident and former University student, said he signed up for the fibre network because it is a great opportunity to watch internet television in high definition with no waiting time.

‘The Council has already installed high speed fibre to its offices, the Bournemouth International Centre and Pavilion Theatre, so we are aware of the difference this type of connectivity can make’ said  Nick King, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Communications. So, if you live or work in Bournemouth then be prepared to experience a communication revolution.

Despite being the world’s fastest growing religion, misconceptions and negative press about women’s position and other discrepant issues still surround the Islamic faith.
The Director of Bournemouth Islamic Centre, and Imam, Mr Majid Yasin said that the Muslim Centre was established in 1988 and that the main idea was to provide constructive information about Islam. With around 4000 people in Dorset practicing the Islamic faith today, Mr Yasin holds that, “People are looking for clear guidance and discipline, Islam gives them that”

Mr Yasin was asked to comment on concern that a woman is to lead a mixed congregation in Islamic prayer for the first time in the UK. He replied, “A woman can give a sermon for females or organise mixed seminars, but can never lead a mixed prayer service by Muslim law. Doing so is unacceptable behaviour and can erode the religion”.

On the controversial issue of forced arranged marriages, he said that, “Though it comes from tradition, for me, such arrangements are absolutely wrong. Concern for their child’s welfare does not mean that parents should force their children or make drastic decisions for them”.

Given that the UK is a multi-cultural society, Mr Yasin was asked if services such as Bournemouth University’s Chaplaincy allow representatives of all religions to work together and spread greater understanding. “Well, there is much in common between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. A Chaplaincy service helps to inform people about religion and to share knowledge. Our aim is not to change other people’s religion but to educate them a bit more” he replied.

On the subject of the mass media’s tendency to spread negative attitudes towards Islam, Mr Yasin replied, “Journalists must not substitute conceptions of Islam and should be very careful in religious coverage. Islam is a very peaceful and friendly religion and everything we do, we do with good intentions”.