Milton Keynes Broadband Action Group

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Monday 17th November 

BT SETS GOAL OF 100 PER CENT BROADBAND

BT makes a promising announcement. I'll quote from their press release...

[BT] call for public sector involvement to help speed exchange upgrades

BT today declared that 100 per cent broadband coverage of every UK community is achievable by 2005 if industry and government pull together. This would put the UK in a position to lead the world.

Ben Verwaayen, BT Group chief executive, said: "BT's registration scheme has been a world-leading success in focusing new investment where there is demand. We have clear momentum and this, together with our latest understanding of technology and costs and the growing enthusiasm for regional partnerships, means we can take a new approach to broadband investment. We are now in a position to extend trigger levels into the furthest parts of the UK.

"When all these exchanges are enabled more than 99% of UK homes and businesses would be connected to broadband exchanges. (Average penetration of broadband on an enabled exchange is approximately 96%. )

"There's no doubt however that many of these trigger levels are very challenging to hit. In some areas, market stimulation alone will not be sufficient to deliver broadband. We are critically dependent on public partnerships to stimulate demand and to intervene with support to get the exchanges enabled early and even to help reduce the triggers. This will be essential to deliver the benefits of broadband to every community.

...There is then the issue of how to address the small percentage of people who live in already enabled areas but who are currently unable to get DSL broadband.

BT is currently trialling encouraging new wireless solutions and is working to extend the physical reach of DSL from enabled exchanges.

...One hundred per cent broadband availability must be the goal...

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications at Ofcom praises BT's statement.

I wonder if OFCOM will have more clout than OFTEL? A few months ago I asked Oftel about applying pressure on BT. I was I was placated with comments about BT's service obligation and 2.4kbps.
 

My Inbox

Do you have any progress info for the wireless pilot?  I am hoping to be part of the trial, but have heard nothing since the council letters.

Would it be possible to update the broadband coverage maps to show where the Wireless pilot has and hasn't been successful?

Chris

 
As a recent subscriber to BT (can't be bothered to give you a decent line so here is our thrown together ISDN alternative) Midband. I was NOT surprised to find my new 8 x slower than ADSL, not always on and more expensive connection did not come with a SMTP server to send email. Having tried all the BT Openworld / BT Connect servers without luck, I stumbled upon a SMTP server freeware that runs on your pc, was simple to set up and works a treat.

Just thought others may be interested, if they have signed up to Midband.

http://www.emailarms.com/products/1st_smtp.html

I know that NTL Trialists can now use the NTL SMTP server to send mail.

Colin

 
I am live in Wymondham, Monkston (Tesco's side) and have been told today verbally by BT Broadband that my new BT line can definitely have BB, where as my old line is only a maybe.

Needless to say I placed an order and have been given an install date of 26th Nov Free modem & Installation !!

Not sure why one number can and the other can't but I'm not complaining.

If all goes well I can get rid of my satellite dish.

Keep you informed

Regards
Simon

[Dave forwarded the above email BT with the following comment:

This chap is a good example of two lines probably taking the same route where one line is Amber and the other Green for broadband. This is very odd but point to a database accuracy problem don't you think?]

  
Excellent idea !

I live in a close in Crownhill (Robeson Place), where my neighbour 10 yards opposite has broadband, but I have been told I cannot have it .

To cut a very long story short (I have had the same experiences of BT customer services engineer visits, etc as highlighted on your website), I am told that the reason I cannot get it but my neighbour can is when they built the estate (1996), BT just run a clutch of lines into the estate from different exchanges. My neighbour's line is from an exchange that is within sufficient distance to allow him to have broadband.... mine is not.

Simon
 

Just a reminder that Business Link, (www.businesslinksolutions.co.uk), are hosting an event tomorrow at Wilton Hall, in Bletchley (starting at 4.30pm) to promote the benefits of broadband. The event, which is sponsored by SEEDA, 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, 10- 15 exhibitors have been invited to the event, who will be demonstrating a range of relevant applications;

* All Right Now
* ARAMISKA.
* CAE Sales & Marketing Ltd
* Check Digits
* Complete IT
* Dionach
* ecommnet
* FormaServe
* The Federation of Small Businesses
* Future sight Reports
* ION
* Kudos Technology
* Lateral Networks
* Mulberry Network Services
* Pink Connect
* Systems Management Consultancy UK
* Webdesign UK
* Wizdome Ltd

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

thanks

Jim Sims
Marketing Manager
Business Link Solutions

 
I've just got onto NTL Wireless Broadband. It is very fast!
 
I just need to get e-mail sorted out!!!

Of course, this is a trial and the plug could get pulled. Do we know what the status is on this from MK council?

[We'll know in April 2004!]
 
Dave

 

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