Newham and the Net Seminar

Newham Recorder, Wednesday, July 22, 1998

ONE of the UK's largest suppliers of telecommunications equipment has pledged its support for the bid to secure Newham a place at the leading edge of the country's Internet development.

The borough's Internet visionaries" the Newham Online Partnership called the announcement by GPT "dramatic" and said it was an excellent development.

The news broke at the Newham and the Net conference and seminar held at the University of East London's Duncan House in Stratford.

East Ham MP Stephen Timms, opening the conference, said: "We are moving into the era of electronic commerce. And the big issue is who is going to benefit?

"Can we use the technology to reduce the inequality and division which scar our society and which are all to evident in Newham today?"

Having posed the questions,' Mr Timms said he was sure that Newham Online would succeed, but said: "It will require enlightened companies, schools and colleges, local and central government and the community to work together to make sure that we do grasp the potential for community benefit.

Newham Online's plans are on www.newham.org.uk.

The "mock up" of the Newham Gateway site will be put the web site along with the presentations made on the day.