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Monday 16th February 2004
MK Broadband Workshop
Mr Jewell,
Head of I.T.
Milton Keynes Council writes:
The development of Broadband systems across Milton Keynes is essential if the
area is to maintain and expand its profile as a key site for business.
Not only are broadband technologies required for companies, particularly those
in the media, design and IT sectors, but constant, high quality internet access
is also essential to maintain office links for the growing number of
home-workers in the area. Broadband is also increasingly in demand by the
general public for the speedy, efficient internet service it provides.
However, despite progress in the availability of Broadband, for various reasons
some areas of Milton Keynes are still not covered. Consequently, the Council
will be holding a quarterly Broadband Workshop, to be attended by
representatives of key organisations, in order to facilitate the effective
growth of Broadband access for citizens and businesses within Milton Keynes.
The first of these meetings will be held from 7-10pm on Wednesday, 24th of March
in the Council Chamber and is open to LSP [Local Strategic Partnership] representatives, local community
Broadband Action Groups, members of the Chamber of Commerce and other interested
parties.
Please contact Sarah Harwood on 01908 252057/
sarah.harwood@milton-keynes.gov.uk for further details.
Steven Jewell
Head of IT
Milton Keynes Council |
NTL Trial Update 1
I ask Paul at the
Council for an update on the NTL trail:
I understand that NTL have placed a beacon on the Bow Brickhill mast
to carry out some testing, with the intention of a full installation to
be put in place by the end of March.
Paul |
NTL Trial Update 2
I ask Councillor Sam Crooks for an update on the NTL trail:
It's a good idea for everyone to be encouraged to contact their
councillors.
The experiment is being extended to end June.
During the period between now and then the council is investigating
additional sources of longer term finance which may include a commercial
venture.
Regards
Sam |
Developments will be posted on the NTL
Wireless Trial page.
My Inbox
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I am keeping abreast of the developments and had a chat with one of
Serena's colleagues on Monday to see what was
happening, but she couldn't really tell me anything new.
My situation is that I moved to Paxton Crescent in Shenley Lodge (from Corby
where I had NTL cable broadband - going back to dial-up is akin to losing
your driving licence!) and according to BT, I am about 6.2km from the
Bradwell Abbey exchange as the twisted-pair runs. I have had a couple of
line tests done (one by BT after much moaning at them and another by
Bulldog) which have returned line-losses of about 62.5 dB, which of course
is just over the limit. I did enquire whether there was a possibility of a
down rated service of say 128kB, but no go - "We don't do that Sir" was the
reply.
What a shame I didn't know about the wireless trial with NTL - I would have
jumped at the chance, but I guess I am too late now unless anyone drops out.
NTL have excellent products, but I'm not impressed with their customer
service.
I suppose my question is probably obvious and I guess doesn't need to be
asked, but:
How many other people in Shenley Lodge are interested/registered or
have asked the questions previously?
I couldn't see any directly relevant answers in the list of responses
from the last meeting with BT. Is there any work planned, either
laying/relaying cables, or the prospect of wireless broadband to get the
service into Shenley Lodge? I am getting the impression that it is the
rule of diminishing returns for BT - it will cost them increasingly large
amounts to get the remaining few percent of homes connected.
Many thanks and keep up your sterling work.
Best regards,
Frank, Shenley Lodge. [There are 40 members in Shenley Lodge. All
members are encouraged to ask BT for the latest developments. The Broadband
Action Group Deputy for that estate,
Neil, is well informed of
all developments. Don't give up with NTL! There will be another
trial "invitation" in a week or so. BT had very little to say in
our last meeting. This week I expect more.
(There's a meeting on the 20th that 2 members and I have been invited to
attend.)] |
I wonder if you have investigated Whispering Parrot? Maybe
you have a large enough register in the area to make this viable. What is
your opinion of it?
All the best
Gill[If enough people register with a company, such as Whispering
Parrot, they may be interested in providing a service.
Satellite connections are fast and reliable, but suffer from longer
latency: real time game playing is unsatisfactory.
I'd suggest that you hang on for BT or
register with the NTL trial. Send
your NTL Wireless Broadband Trial queries to Milton Keynes Council at
broadbandtrial@milton-keynes.gov.uk] |
It looks like from BT's map
that most of MK is covered. In fact there are only a few outposts where bb
is not available. The answer
is simple to me. Why do they not install 3 new exchanges that would cover
these red areas? I would quite happily change my number if it
meant I could get bb. (But not for ISDN).
In fact it looks like where I live in GL is mainly yellow. That's a joke.
Great Linford
[I'll ask BT this Friday about the exchanges. The Map is not
accurate!] |
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still no good in Ulverscoft, Monkston!
Stephen [I'll ask BT this Friday about Broadband coverage in the east
side of Monkston.] |
| I'm having difficulties understanding the
BT on line checker. When I put in the phone
number is says that we are too far away, but when I put in the postcode it
says it's fine. [This is not unusual.]
When we moved we took our phone number with us from Heelands to Bradwell
Village, would this make a difference?
[It shouldn't but it does. BT's records used in their on line checker
do not appear to be updated.]
Someone suggested that we change our phone number and we may change
exchange and then be able to receive broadband, do you know if this is true?
Regards
Jemma, Bradwell Village
[I'd chance it. You'll stay with the same exchange, on exactly the
same wiring, but you'll pick up somebody else's "broadband history".
I have no way of telling if your line is beyond the distance limit. I
do know that parts of Bradwell Village do have Broadband.
I'd encourage you to give it a go.
I'm suggesting this not in a sense that I want to waste your time, or
BT's time. The reality is people have had success when changing line
numbers.] |
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If I am too far from my exchange ("Bradwell Abbey" exchange), what is the
solution?
Chris, Bolbeck Park [I'll ask BT this Friday about Bolbeck Park. NTL
will be asking for further trialists soon. (They are testing a new wireless
base station at Bow Brickhill. Expect an email from me in a week or so.] |
However no improvement on my situation. Last time I applied
for Broadband I was told my line reading was 65dB. Is there anything I can
do in the mean time any advice would be grateful.
Thanks
Gavin, Bolbeck Park[See my comments for Chris above.] |
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