The CBN supports, promotes and develops community-owned broadband schemes. Set up by Competitiveness minister Stephen Timms in 2004, they have helped over 100 projects directly and connect over 200 project promoters throughout the UK.

Initially set up to help those communities that the market did not reach to provide their own broadband service, they are now active in the development of next generation access within communities in the UK.

www.broadband.coop

The Ofcom Consumer Panel was established in 2003, and represent the interests of consumers in the telecommunications market, working with Ofcom to ensure that the interests of consumers are fully appreciated in policy formulation and implementation.

They recently reported to Ofcom with recommendations for greater clarity for broadband consumers over the speeds of their services.

www.ofcomconsumerpanel.org

The Digital Inclusion Team works across government departments and central and local government to implement the 2005 paper 'Inclusion Through Innovation'.

The focus of the team is promoting the innnovative application of digital technology to improve the life chances of disadvantaged individuals and communities.

www.digiteam.org.uk

DC10plus was founded by the ten local authorities and their partners who were finalists in the Digital Challenge. The group promotes the use of technology-based initiatives to enhance social inclusion, through a combination of knowledge exchange, promotion of good practice, and facilitation of coordinated projects.

They have six key workstreams focused on this goal, one of which is next generation connectivity.

www.dc10plus.net