Latest news with #digitalupgrade
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
High-speed broadband brought to rural parts of Oxfordshire
A DIGITAL upgrade is bringing high-speed broadband to public services and rural communities across Oxfordshire. The GigaHubs project, led by Oxfordshire County Council, has introduced gigabit-capable broadband to 192 public service sites, including schools, GP surgeries, fire stations, libraries, leisure centres and community centres. Councillor Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "The GigaHubs project has transformed the digital landscape of Oxfordshire, enabling libraries, community centres, schools and GP practices to offer enhanced services to residents. "The successful collaboration with Neos Networks and other industry leaders has ensured that even the most remote areas now have access to reliable, high-speed internet. "This initiative supports our broader goals of reducing carbon emissions, promoting digital inclusion, and fostering community engagement." The project focused on rural areas where fibre connectivity has been difficult and costly to implement. It was jointly funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the county council, with the council's contribution drawn from revenue generated by its digital infrastructure programme. The project was managed by Neos Networks, with Openreach, Virgin Media Business, and Gigaclear serving as subcontractors. The upgraded connectivity is already making a difference, allowing village halls and community centres to livestream events, meetings, clubs and classes. In addition to broadband installation, the digital infrastructure programme is funding three years of internet access for the 55 community centres and village halls connected through the project. The council now hopes to develop these sites into broader community hubs, offering health and social care support and reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for essential services. The scheme has also enabled the migration of council buildings from leased lines to direct fibre connections, saving the council £70,000 annually in connectivity costs. David Bruce, chief revenue officer at Neos Networks, said: "The collaboration has allowed us to use our expertise and relationships to deliver real public good and support the council's vision for a smarter, more connected Oxfordshire. "This project should serve as a blueprint for other local authorities seeking to bridge the digital divide and support community development." The upgraded infrastructure is also expected to incentivise more investment from the commercial sector in rural areas now that the targeted hubs provide a way to connect homes and businesses nearby. As part of its agreement with Neos, the council secured a £20,000 social value contribution, which funded the purchase of 30 public computers now installed in libraries at Oxford Westgate, Cowley and Abingdon.
Gulf Business
10 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Flying Etihad? Know about these latest developments
Image credit: Etihad Airways Etihad Airways has unveiled a significant digital upgrade to its corporate travel offering with the launch of the Etihad for Business portal. This milestone in the airline's digital transformation coincides with the launch of its inaugural flight to Al Alamein, Egypt, reinforcing Etihad's commitment to both corporate and leisure travelers. Read- The newly launched portal enables corporate clients to manage their entire travel programme through a single, user-friendly digital interface, a Businesses can now monitor travel spend, access contract details, and redeem credits for travel-related benefits in real time. 'We've created a platform that puts control directly in our corporate partners' hands,' said Javier Alija, Vice President of Global Sales & Distribution at Etihad Airways. 'Companies can now manage everything from performance tracking to benefit redemptions through one simple interface.' The Etihad for Business programme rewards companies with credits based on travel volume. These credits can be redeemed for a variety of perks including seat upgrades, lounge access, priority check-in, and ground transportation services—designed to enhance the travel experience for corporate employees. Key features offer flexibility and insights The platform is built to streamline business travel operations and reduce administrative burdens. Among its key features: Real-time performance tracking Transparent tiering requirements Automated reporting tools Contract management capabilities Self-service benefit redemptions Dedicated online support and account services Companies of all sizes can access different levels of service based on their travel needs, while advanced analytics and expanded features are expected in future updates. 'Business travel management should be straightforward, not complicated,' Alija added. 'Our portal delivers exactly that—a user-friendly experience that helps companies maximise the value of their travel programmes.' Etihad adds Al Alamein as seasonal summer destination In parallel with its digital rollout, 'The launch of Al Alamein reflects our strategic focus on expanding Etihad's network to serve high-demand seasonal routes,' said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways. 'As leisure travel continues to grow, destinations like Al Alamein offer tremendous appeal for our guests seeking premium summer experiences.' The dual developments showcase Etihad's evolving strategy—investing in both digital transformation and network growth to serve a broader customer base. With its enhanced business travel tools and growing list of leisure destinations, Etihad continues to position itself as a forward-thinking global airline.
Malay Mail
18-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Johor MB: Over RM2 million allocated to upgrade digital systems at state land office to ease transactions
JOHOR BARU, June 18 — The Johor government has allocated over RM2 million to upgrade the digital systems of the state's Land and Mines Office (PTG) to improve transaction processes, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced today. Of the total, RM1.55 million is earmarked for upgrading the Computerised Land Registration System (SPTB) portal. 'This includes enhancements to the Johor PTG's e-submission, e-search, and e-consent digital services. Online private searches for strata titles are now available and will soon be extended to landed titles as well,' he said in a statement. An additional RM500,000 has been allocated for developing the e-SBKS system, scheduled to launch in September. 'The e-SBKS system will significantly reduce the time required for land grant returns from 510 days to just 53 days per transaction,' Onn Hafiz said. He added that the state government is also considering raising the levy fee for property acquisition approvals by foreign interests to address operational costs. 'The proposed levy increase is from two per cent with a minimum of RM20,000 to three per cent with a minimum of RM30,000. 'Additionally, the registration fee for land transfer transactions involving properties valued at RM500,000 and above will see an additional RM500 charge for every RM100,000 increase in property valuation,' he explained. Onn Hafiz said the proposal was discussed with stakeholders, including the Johor Real Estate and Housing Developers Association of Malaysia (Rehda) and the Johor Bar Committee. He noted that the levy rate for foreign property acquisitions has remained unchanged since 2014, while land transfer registration fees have not been revised since 2004. 'This initiative demonstrates the state government's commitment to enhancing public service delivery, making it more efficient, transparent, and responsive to the people's needs,' he said. The improvements aim to ease processes for residents, expedite land transaction approvals, and bolster investor confidence in Johor's public service system. Onn Hafiz also highlighted additional work process enhancements by the Johor PTG, which have significantly shortened processing times. 'For instance, approvals for foreign interests have been reduced from 70 to 21 days, while local transactions have been cut from 14 to seven days,' he added.
