Broadband for Milton Keynes

Interested in lobbying BT for Broadband access? Contact us!

Wednesday 24th September 

Mail shot

The email is being sent to all 482 members of the Milton Keynes Broadband Action Group

1, We met with BT. More here.

2, Today is the 24th! Today BT introduce their new planning rule for 60dB line loss.

Please contact your ISP and re-order Broadband.

As an approximation the new rule means the old limit of 5.5km cable length is increased to 6km.

Members would keep a simple diary logging all details of their application. This will be of use should there be problems.

3, Milton Keynes Broadband Event - Tuesday 18th November 2003. More here.

Business Link

I've been contacted by Business Link, (www.businesslinksolutions.co.uk), about an upcoming event they are organising to promote the benefits of broadband. The event is designed to help us raise awareness of what we are trying to do locally, but also to provide clear, practical guidance on:

How broadband can add value to your business.

What sources of support exist to help them ensure that you can achieve a decent ROI on any investment in e-technologies.

In addition, they will be inviting 10- 15 exhibitors to each event, who will be demonstrating a range of relevant applications.

Please see the following link for more details.

If you want to book a place, call 0845 606 4466 or email events@businesslinksolutions.co.uk

My Inbox

Just checked the btopenworld site and as of today I am now I should be able to get broadband.

BT have increased the amount of signal degradation they can tolerate from 55dB to 60dB which equates to an increase in range to approx 6km!!!

Paul, Bradwell Common
 
Diary entry 1:

Marc Eisenstadt's Broadband Diary, 24th September 2003, 9:30AM

Today is 24th September, when the new longer-reaching broadband is meant to be available.

Step 1: find a sensible URL, so Google broadband BT, which gives me www.bt.com/broadband

Step 2: No obvious 'news' anywhere on the site about the 24th September 'changes'

Step 3: Enter my number into the 'Broadband Availability Checker'... it comes back with

"For Telephone Number 01908xxxxxxx on Exchange BRADWELL ABBEY
Your exchange has broadband ADSL. However, the length of the telephone line
between you and the exchange is too long for broadband ADSL.
Thank you for your interest."

(Same old story, in other words).

Step 4: Follow a couple of other links on the site, notably "Click here to see what's happening with broadband where I live", then "Click here to find out if there is already a campaign in your area.", so I enter my exchange number, 01908, and it says
"No results found".

Bah. Of course I'm emailing this to a rather significant campaign group in Milton Keynes, but I'm not sure how anyone else would find it.

Step 5: suppress my frustration, as I'm used to this dead end, get ready to send this email, and resume my normal life.

Marc, Loughton

p.s. I see your site is Number 1 on Google for the following search: broadband Milton Keynes

p.p.s. I'm blogging my 'broadband saga' diary entries... seems only natural.
 
The BT Line checker for ADSL was updated last night to reflect the new 60dB limit. Anyone who has failed on distance or line quality should give the checker another try to see if it has made any difference:

http://www.bt.com/broadband

Geraint
 

Here's my bad news:

For Telephone Number 01908****** on Exchange WOBURN SANDS

Your exchange has broadband ADSL. However, the length of the telephone line between you and the exchange is too long for broadband ADSL.

Thank you for your interest.

I'm crossing my fingers that wireless reaches this far.

Jeff, Wavendon Gate
 
I get:

Your exchange has broadband ADSL. However, the length of the telephone line between you and the exchange is too long for broadband ADSL.

I'm on Welbeck Close, from which someone else has got an activation date... I'm about 50 feet from his house :(

Again, to quote BT's Mr Small, "It will work for those on TPON"

I'm getting a bit annoyed with this. Was there any reason that the TPON customers like us still can't get it? (I mean from the meeting) ?

Danny, Monkston

[On Monday is was reported that there is some "muddling" with the databases and availability checker. This should be resolved within a few days.

(I'm not sure neither Mr Boyce nor Mr Codd would be too happy with the term "muddling".)

The impression was that the work in Monkston was complete, and not an issue.

I am also awaiting a date for my installation...

Serena is aware of these on-going problems.]
 
This one is classic!!!

For Telephone Number 01908****** on Exchange BRADWELL ABBEY

Your exchange has broadband ADSL. However, it appears that the
length of the telephone line between you and the exchange may
possibly cause some problems.

Our initial test on your line suggests that you may be able to
have a broadband ADSL service that provides up to 2Mbps download
speed.

If you decide to place an order, a further test will be performed
to confirm if your line is suitable, and if so for what speed of
service.

Thank you for your interest.

Excuse me while I just wipe my elbow!

Steve, Monkston

[You're on TPON. That's what it always says, the updated checker may prove more useful to those with dirty old copper lines that stretch from here to the moon and back. - Geraint]
 
SUMMARY: optimistic Pipex 'extended reach' email leads back to endless loop;
ho hum

Details:

Marc Eisenstadt Broadband Diary 2, 24th Sept 2003

Hmmm just received the optimistic-sounding email below, about extended reach...
on going to the suggested URL, however, there is no obvious new information,
and the customer (i.e. me) is just left to browse around looking for
promising-sounding leads. On the form that asks me to enter my number, when
I put it in I get back:
"Telephone cannot support ADSL. For Telephone Number 01908xxxxxxx on
Exchange BRADWELL ABBEY
Your exchange has PIPEX Xtreme ADSL. However, the length of the telephone
line between you and the exchange is too long for PIPEX Xtreme ADSL.
Unfortunately, this means that you will not currently be able to receive
ADSL. However, we suggest you register for our FREE Broadband Developments
Monitoring service. This means that, if advances in technology and ADSL
provisioning mean that it would become possible for you to receive ADSL, we
can contact you and invite you to order. "

This is, of course, an endless loop, since my prior entry via the Broadband Developments Monitoring service is exactly what led me to receive the latest email (below) in the first place!!!!
So, the upshot is that I'm none the wiser.

As I consider myself to be moderately geek-y, having using 'the net' in one form or another, including the early ARPAnet days, since 1971 (!!!!!), on an almost daily basis, and I find the forms and circuitous mis/dis-information almost impenetrable, I hate to think what other folks do in this situation.

Marc

-----Original Message-----
From: PIPEX Internet Limited [mailto:sales@pipex.net]
Sent: 24 September 2003 13:39
To: Marc Eisenstadt
Subject: PIPEX Xtreme Xtends its reach

Dear Prof Marc Eisenstadt,

PIPEX Xtreme Xtends its reach

Good news! Although your recent application for ADSL may have failed PIPEX
can now offer ADSL service to more customers than ever thanks to the
introduction of new longer line limits. And that could include you!

Hundreds of new customers previously unable to connect to ADSL because they
were too far away from their local exchange or because their telephone line
quality was not quite up to the standards required are now enjoying PIPEX's
award winning Xtreme ADSL services following their successful participation
in BT's recent Extended Reach Trial.

By adjusting signal strengths and using experience gained over the past 18
months BT's equipment has been set up to accept ADSL signals over longer
distances. The longest line length able to accept ADSL has now been
increased from 5.5km to 6km giving many more customers the "green light" for
Broadband. In fact, another 600,000 homes across the UK can now connect to
ADSL.

The Extended Reach Trial has worked so well that BT has now deployed the
Extended Reach technology as standard across all ADSL enabled exchanges
nationwide. Thanks to this recent development, you may now be able to
receive a PIPEX Xtreme ADSL service. To check to see if ADSL is now
available on your line and to order the PIPEX Xtreme package that's right
for you, please visit our website at http://www.xtreme.pipex.net/

Thank you for your interest in PIPEX. Should you require any further
information regarding our services please do not hesitate to call our Sales
team.

Kind regards

PIPEX Internet Limited

E-Mail: sales@pipex.net
Phone: 0845 077 2537
 
Glad things are progressing at MK.

Do you have any contact names/e-mails within BT as I want to try and find out why my own exchange (not in Milton Keynes) Stewkley has not had allocated the number of users required.

We are off the Leighton Buzzard exchange (01525), the cables come via the Village of Soulbury to Stewkley, and much to the villagers' disgust, Soulbury had had a target stated, but we have not. !!!!! Last year BT even laid a new cable to Stewkley.

Thanks in advance

Bob Leggett

[I'll forward your email to Serena at BT.
I do know that BT track exchange registrations.]
 
Checked with my ISP (Virgin Net), and they still say I cannot get Broadband.

Regards,
Ashley, Downhead Park
 
I read your message about the 60 dB line loss change by BT at 09.30 this morning and immediately tried to determine whether the relaxation would apply to me.

Almost inevitably it doesn't!

So the cable run from Marsh Drive to the Bradwell Abbey exchange must be more than 6 km, even though the direct distance is significantly less.

John, Great Linford
 
Today I ordered broadband.

Before I couldn't get it. When placing the order they said the ADSL checker reports like traffic signals:

  • Red you fail
  • Amber maybe
  • Green definitely ok

I fall into the amber category. I hope they will process my order. I know for a fact I'm only 5.6kms away from the exchange as a BT
engineer who recently checked a fault told me so.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Thanks

Andy, Heelands
 
Hi, I have tried various methods to do the same.

Contacting BT many times has no effect.

I cannot believe that where I originally came from, a countryside in China, they had broadband two years ago!
Living in a developed world does not have such a basic access.

Anything I can do?

Gary, Kents Hill
 
I am in Hopkins Close. 

The checker says that I am still too far away from Bradwell Abbey.

Guess I'll have to wait for the wireless solution.

David, Milton Keynes Village
 
The line checker still says I'm too far away and I failed the extended reach
trial.

Is it worth reapplying? [Yes]

Thanks,

Peter, Browns Wood
 
Today was activation day (as it has been on 4 previous occasions this year)

But today I had renewed optimism, though I wasn't showing it.

The cables have been re-laid, people on the estate are getting connected, BT are aware of the problem.

Get home - yes! the Welcome to BT Broadband pack is here.

Open up and install.

Baited breath.

No joy.

I phone up.

"Sir, if you wouldn't mind waiting until after 8 as some activations don't take place until after that time"

"Actually, would you mind just looking at my account, seeing if it's been cancelled, this is the 5th time I've had to call up on activation day only to be told 'it was cancelled last week, did no one tell you, sorry!'" I says!

"Erm, oh yes Sir, you have a visit booked for tomorrow between 8 and 10:30, what is that for?"

"This is the first I've heard of it, perhaps you can tell me!" Says I!

"Oh, erm, it doen't say, hang on, I'll call Wholesale."

5 minutes later.

"Please continue to hold, I'm in a queue."

Another 5 minutes later

"Erm, Oh, er, hummm, mmmm, well sir, it looks like you are actually sharing a line, so we couldn't install Broadband today, so wholesale have booked a visit tomorrow from 8 - 10:30, to put you on a separate line, so we can install broadband. Is that time convenient?"

"have a guess!" (or words to that effect!) I say, "When was someone going to contact me to arrange this visit?"

"I don't know sir, do you want me to cancel?"

"Not on your life, I'll ensure someone is here"

So I have

To be continued...

Does anyone know where I can buy AK47s from?

Steve, Monkston
 
I tried again and I also still got:

"For Telephone Number 01908xxxxxx on Exchange BRADWELL ABBEY

Your exchange has broadband ADSL. However, the length of the telephone line between you and the exchange is too long for broadband ADSL.
Thank you for your interest."

Lets hope that the council pilot will

a. Choose me (and Jeff)

b. Succeed.

c. Offer an affordable service after the pilot.

Keep up the good work, Nick (and colleagues)

Regards,

Peter, Middleton
 
CONTACTED MY ISP TODAY
STILL NO CAN DO AS OUTSIDE AREA
THEY SAY THEY HAVE CHECKED WITH B.T.
?

DAVE, Kents Hill
 
I'm getting really hacked off.

Have attempted to order broadband via BT twice in the last 14 days, to be told:

1) you are too far away
2) we are changing you line to copper....oh, no, you're too far away
3) now the computer search tells me I'm too far away so now I can't even
apply!!

Living in Bridlington Crescent, not 100 yards away from where one of the first TPON houses got broadband last week....

I'm calling Serena tomorrow to see what she has to say - will let you know...

Ta,

Phil, Monkston
[Other Monkston residents are making progress]
 
How many telecom service providers could boast that they have customers that are running through hoops and proactively doing what's necessary to become their broadband customers? It must be great to be in such a position of power. Much like being an Intel in the world of semiconductor sales.
 
Regards,
 
Dave, Middleton
 
I've got two lines and the line checker reckons I might be able to get ADSL on one, but definitely not on the other!

"Our initial test on your line suggests that you may be able to have a broadband ADSL service that provides up to 512Kbps download speed, but the upstream bandwidth will vary according to the length of your telephone line.
It will not be possible to provide the 1Mbps or 2Mbps broadband ADSL services.

If you decide to place an order, a further test will be performed to confirm if your line is suitable, and if so for what speed of service."

So why wouldn't they let me on the extended reach trial?

Chris, Great Linford
 
The checker says that I am still too far away from Bradwell Abbey.

I'm still too far away...apparently.

BUT my neighbour, two doors away is still steaming along at 512K!

You don't think this has something to do with him having BT as his ISP?

Or is this me just being a little cynical...........?

David, Willen Park
 
The availability checker on the BT website still says that the exchange is too far away.

Is it still worth attempting to order ADSL? [Yes]

Also, are any ISPs regarded as better than others from the point of view of them successfully installing ADSL in MK?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Jules.
 
I'm due to be connected to Zen ADSL this coming Friday on a new PSTN installed by BT last week. However, having had problems with my old ISP throughout today, I thought I'd use Zen's backup dial-up account to get hold of my email.

Now this really confuses me... by mistake I chose my ADSL modem for the connection, albeit dialling an 0845 number but somehow I am  currently getting 576Kbps speed... and I do mean 576kbps - I've just downloaded a 32Mb Windows Update in about 3 minutes!!!

Am I being completely thick or should this not be happening??!?

Any insight from you highly knowledgeable tech people would be most welcome!!!

Cheers
Cam, Monkston
 
Went on this morning and got active date of 08 Oct.
Lets see.
Stewart, Wilsley Pound, Kents Hill
 
I received the update below this morning. I think the technical bits are going to rule out wireless in Middleton!
[Someone in Middleton is in the trial.]

Robin, Middleton

----- Original Message -----
From: Bonham, Peter
To: Robin
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 12:04 AM
Subject: RE: Wireless Broadband Pilot


Robin

The selection process is being managed by NTL, and is based primarily on technical considerations. This is a business trial, so NTL will seek as much technical variation of customers as possible (distance from transmitter, line of sight, height of building, complexity of building, etc).

A further update will be sent to you (and all potential triallists) shortly.

Regards

Peter Bonham

-----Original Message-----
From: Robin
Sent: 24 September 2003 15:56
To: Jewell, Steven
Cc: Bonham, Peter
Subject: Wireless Broadband Pilot
Importance: High

Steven,

Some time ago I expressed an interest in the impending wireless broadband pilot being run in Milton Keynes. At the beginning of August I received a letter, from Peter Bonham, detailing the plan. In this letter it indicated that the pilot would start being rolled out in September/October.

Are you able to provide me with an update on the selection process for the pilot. I am unfortunately one of the users that is unable to get broadband via BT so am very keen to get broadband by any other means.

I would be grateful for any update you can give me. I have emailed you before but have received no response. I would be grateful if you could respond, if only it to say "there is no update at this time".

Thank you in anticipation.

Robin

 
Thanks for all your help and general guidance over the last few months I have finally got broadband!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Although contacted BT originally to get onto the extended reach pilot they informed me the pilot was full. I then contacted an ISP - NDO who got me on it!?

I'm now broadbanded up, and chuffed to bits.

Thanks again.

Take care.

Mark, Deacon Place, Middleton
 
Good work. It is a bit unclear whether a member such as me living in Great Linford is affected by the 60dB loss changes?

Can you clarify? [The BT planning rule change will affect everybody that has tried before and failed.]

Should I reapply also? [Yes]

Kind regards

Richard, Great Linford
 
I am moving to MK and was having trouble finding a property with broadband, so signed up to your group. Happily, I have managed to find one now, but as I write for a magazine about the internet (Webactive) I am writing a feature about what people can do if they don't have access to broadband in their area.

It would be great if I could have a chat to you about the action group and your progress, and the wireless scheme, for inclusion in my feature.

Hope to talk to you soon.

Kind regards
Naomi MacKay
 
Have you had any updates on the wireless pilot project ? I received the letter detailing the plan but since then received nothing. I have attempted to contact Steven Jewell but so far received no response.

I would be grateful for any update you could give me. [The most recent report we have is here.]

Robin, Middleton
 
I'm more interested in NTL getting its 'digital cable' act together, rather than BT providing broadband services.

This doesn't seem to be a topic your group is interested in! [Indeed. Our focus is Broadband]

Keith, Great Linford
 
Just thought I'd introduce myself. My name's Tom Cashman, and I'm a student, or will be in a couple of weeks. I've been working for a year in Chalfont St. Peter, South Bucks.

I'm currently living with my parents in the old part of Loughton, in a home that's crying out for broadband. There's now 6 PCs all sharing bandwidth, and when the connection's a 56k dial-up, it just isn't pleasant! Not forgetting the midnight hours spent trying to get that latest kernel down the phone line, or the nightmares of eliminating spy-ware to prevent unwanted dial-ups, or the agony of getting Win98 to hang up unused connections, or... the list goes on :].

>Okay, I apologise - I didn't just subscribe to whinge! I'm not in Monkston or Middleton, and the no-ADSL reason is simple - too far to the Bradwell Abbey exchange. I just thought I'd listen in to see how the wireless trial is getting on, and see if there's anybody else in my position.

All advice & comments gratefully received, and thanks to Nick for setting up the list.

Cheers

Tom, Loughton
 

Links

Milton Keynes Broadband Home

Activities

If you live in Milton Keynes, and want Broadband, let us know!