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June 2004 - Week 3
The emails are categorised:
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Just to let you know my Broadband was activated yesterday in the BT
trial, and appears to be working well, he says, typing with crossed fingers.
Speed is said to be 576Kpps. which is a bit better than the 46 I used to
have.
Many thanks for all your sterling work on behalf of us neglected hitherto
Broadband-less outcasts.
Brian, |
Just to let you know that we are now connected to the
Trial.
Phil, Kents Hill |
We are trying the extended trial, although not for email as
yet. If all goes ok we would probably switch it to Claranet from BT
Broadband at the end of the trial. So far no real problems although we don't
use the Internet very much.
Thanks for all the work you have put in.
Hilary, Willen |
We are now enjoying the joy of BT broadband on the trial.
Worked straight away no problems.
Many thanks
Jo, Wavendon Gate |
Following your last email, I chased BT as I was told I
would 'probably' be considered for their trial. They very quickly forwarded
email identifying I was part of the trial and subsequently forwarded
equipment to connect to Broadband.
The kit Arrived yesterday and installed last night - minor teething problems
on set up but appears to be working OK now.
Regards,
Keri, Kents Hill |
NDO tell me I have broadband now though I wouldn't know
because I'm on holiday in Mallorca! Apparently my line was activated on the
1st of June and I can't wait to get back and check it out (I would have
checked earlier but scan.co.uk screwed up my order for modem) but I could
have been the first person to get it! (DAMN THEM!) but I think there will be
a lot of happy people in Newton Longville after this :) including me.
Keep up the good work.Christine, Newton Longville |
Line activated on 1st June with Power Net.
Initial problem - my end - no filter on extension!
Now am averaging 464 Kbps download speed, using Dan Elwell's broadband
checker.
Thank you for all your hard work.
Regards,
Geoff, Loughton |
| Received my trial pack etc last week for an install of
Tuesday 8/6/04. Left it until 20:00 to try it, no joy. Tried again the next
day, still no joy. Prior to making a fool of myself on the helpline, I
disconnected everything and plugged into the first BT socket. The little
green lights flashed and connected ! ADSL on my laptop. Moved to the next
box in the line, nothing. Before I could start ripping anything out, I got a
call from the BT Yahoo, welcoming me to the service and asking if I had had
any problems. When I mentioned the fun with the boxes, he pointed me towards
replacement cables from PC World. I thanked him, but reconnected the cables
in each box and it now works from each one. As they were for phones, I had
extended pins 2, 3 & 5 from the main. The ADSL service worked when I
extended all 6 pins from the main, something that I'll remember when I put
in any extensions for family from now on. I assume that there will be a
feedback form at some point as part of the trial, I might not mention the
cabling faux pas. [I'd get your ISP to call out BT - get a new master
face-plate filter.]
Robin, Heelands |
Thanks to you I am now on the broadband long reach trial!
day one but everything seems to be working!
Hooray for speed!
Lee, Crownhill |
Hi Nick,
well we have got there at last...
Thanks for your campaign, I owe it to your efforts, thanks mate.
The BT Broadband kit arrived yesterday, and it is a lot different to AOL but
I will crack it.
Cheers, and thanks again.
Regards
Roy, Downhead Park |
Well, I'm ADSL-connected here in Shenley Lodge as of
tonight, with BT Ya-boo, just about a year on from when they took it away.
Syncing up fairly quickly when booted. Upstream and downstream speeds pretty
much as you’d expect. 'Pingplotter' (wonderful freeware tool) not indicating
any packet losses at all. Bit confused by the Speedtouch modem diagnostics
though – shows zero "loss of link", but 7 "loss of signal" and 7 "loss of
framing" over about 3 hours connection. Anyone know if that is of concern?
(Yeah, I do realise that Speedtouch USB modems are basic in the extreme, but
have little desire to fork out for a decent router just yet.)
I have a strange sense of mixed feelings right now, because I've been
privileged to enjoy the NTL wireless service for some months, I think it's
wonderful, and I've got totally used to it - but at the same time I feel a
truly momentous 'sense of occasion' that our campaign has succeeded in
getting my ADSL back (to say nothing of what it's achieved, and is
continuing to achieve, for everyone else too).
So before I start sobbing into my glass of wine (well, it is Friday) I'll
sign off by echoing the "Sincere thanks to Nick and the others" which so
many folk have said recently.
And BTW, please DON'T cross me off the list Nick! I'm hanging in here until
we have BB for all, and a permanent roll-out of (preferably both but at
least one of) the current pilots.
Neil, Shenley Lodge |
I too was really surprised to receive broadband (through
Zen internet) - I believed the BT bull that we couldn't receive it - but
still can't understand BT's motive!
I have had one or two "errors" after several hours of connection as shown on
the windows "dial up" but as far as performance goes my speeds are pretty
much as expected.
Next week I will install a new 3Com modem and wireless router and I'll be
able to see if the errors are Speedtouch specific. Also I'll check with my
next-door-neighbour-but-one who uses a US Robotics modem through
Freedom2Surf to see if he generates any errors. I'll let you know.
I have BT coming on the 24 June to remove ISDN on my second line which will
save me a few bob too and I'll be saying goodbye to satellite broadband
which is simply too inconsistent as far as download speeds are concerned to
be practical.
Finally, like you, I am delighted that the action group achieved such great
success and being able just to switch the PC on and have unlimited surftime
is wonderful.
Best wishes,
Ian, Shenley Lodge |
I'm on the trial using my non-ISDN number, but obviously I
am unhappy that I am currently paying for ISDN and not using it so I want
that line disconnected as soon as possible. It will be interesting to see if
BT honour their buy-out. They haven't so far. I'm with BT Yahoo Broadband.
It is fine apart from the level of any service from the un-help desk!
I now have a wireless router and network, but cannot get an internal signal
(wireless) to my main PC with any reliability. I may need to install an
additional Access point to boost the signal.
All the best
Francis, Great Linford |
Just a short note to let you know that I finally have
broadband access - after an 18 month period of trying. I applied for the
trial with BT and all went like clockwork. That does raise the question of
why they had refused me access so many times before. Only 5 weeks ago an
engineer tested the line again and told me that we were comfortably outside
the specification for broadband.
Many thanks for the contacts, support and advice that led to this outcome!
Ian, Bradwell |
I'm now running on broadband from Loughton with a decent
connection speed.
BT engineer had to call to fit a faceplate as my router would not sync
Line test revealed...
Length: 6.74km
Noise/Attenuation: 81db (yes, you are reading that right!!!)
Can anyone beat that?!
Peter, Loughton |
Well one more for the connections book.
I am here in Windmill Hill Drive, Bletchley and connected on BB. Wey hey!
I was on HomeHighway and had the conversion today. The interesting thing was
that the engineer (top bloke) told me that instructions were that
HomeHighway was not available to the trial.....but my line was within the
limits at 50dB. He told me, after speaking with his boss in charge of the
trial, that they would connect HomeHighway to the trial after all.
Here's to faster internet.
Thanks all for all the hard work (and drinking) in getting BB pushed
forward.
Ian, Bletchley |
Just to let you know that I now have broadband on the MK
Trial. In fact there are at least 3 of us down Simms Croft, Middleton that
have had it installed in the last few weeks. Its running fine at maximum
speed
Mine is through NDO.
Well done
Grant, Middleton |
Thanks for all the help. I am now on broadband trial with a
loss reading of 61.5db on my line and no problems in over two weeks, thanks
again.
Cheers
Richard, Bradwell |
Thanks to the groups continued efforts, I can now report
that I am the very proud operator of a broadband connection at the rate of
576 kbps.
I live in the Loughton area and am served by the Bradwell Abbey exchange
which in the recent past could not provide the service.
So thanks to everyone for the effort and maybe the news will help others in
this area.
Regards
Bob, Loughton |
Just to let you know I applied to take part in the
Broadband Trial and have had good news form BT: I do not need to participate
as my exchange and phone line is now capable of getting broadband
Keep up the good work
Regards
Martin, Castlethorpe |
I live close to the cricket pavilion in Middleton, and have
recently managed to sneak into BT's slightly extended 6km distance.
Many thanks for your sterling efforts - without you I'd never have known
that the distance had been extended, and would still have been struggling
with my 56kb modem.
Regards,
Paul, Middleton |
Just to let you know I'm on BT's BroadBand trial and so far
its been working 100%.
Paul, Willen Park |
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BT have been alerted to all the following emails...
In May, I applied for and failed to get on the trial because I have home
highway. The ISP was NDO. The attempt was made on 12/5/04. I have not tried
applying again.
However, I convinced my landlord to apply on my behalf; this attempt failed
for different reasons. I live in a converted carriage house on my landlord's
property. The main house is around 20 meters away from me. We agreed to
share the price of ADSL in the main house (they do not have ISDN) and to
install a wireless hub to cover the carriage house. The phone number of my
landlord is 01908 666xxx.
The order for the main house went in on 16/5/04. Line tests succeeded on
18/05/04, and ADSL was committed for 2/6/04. According to NDO, it went live
on the scheduled date. We were unable to connect, and logged a problem with
NDO.
On 9/6/04 a BT engineer visited. I wasn't here, but according to my
neighbour the engineer said that we are 7.5 KM from the central office, over
wires of dubious quality. They would try to find some better wires (which
apparently meant trying other pairs). On 16/6/04, the engineer came again
(and again, I wasn't here), worked for some time, then announced that we
couldn't get ADSL. We were withdrawn from the trial. The engineer said
something about installing fibre sometime in the next 12 months.
It is my understanding that our uphill neighbour was also removed from the
trial, but I haven't confirmed it.
We are in Loughton on uphill end of School Lane, just below All Saints
Church. The BT wires come up the hill. Our main connection box (if that is
what they are called) is on London Road.
Don't hesitate to ask for more info should you need it.
Thank you for all your work with the trial!
Best regards,
Charles, Loughton[Charles' full saga is here.] |
Can I ask if you have had any feedback from people on the
MK Broadband trial, I am on it and having terrible problems getting
connected.
If I use it at 6am it's great, but once the connection drops, which it often
does, I can not get re-connected. The error messages come up as no answer
the other end, then if you keep on trying it comes up with no dial tone, and
if you are persistent it comes up with there is no modem present.
Can you advise if you know of any others having these types of problems and
if they have cured them.[Some people are having problems. These are
usually resolved when BT check your house wiring.]
Many thanks
Paul, Loughton |
| Marc writes: NOTE 1: *IF* you have the patience to read
it, it will be blindingly obvious that the entire 10-day sequence from 20th
June to 1st July could all have been resolved instantly, while I was on the
line!!!!!
Read Marc's saga here or
here. |
|
Dale wrote: "Do we know where we stand with regard to access beyond the
trial?"
I think that all we know for sure, from BT's Q&A and as posted by Nick at
http://www.bb4mk.org/bttrial/,
is this:
Q7. What happens when the trial is over?
Assuming successful trial results, you the customer will have the choice of
continuing the service or ceasing it.
Q8. Assuming the trial was successful and long range broadband is launched
what happens if I still can’t get broadband?
BT Retail have a number of alternatives which would be reviewed. Some of
these alternatives require Public Private Partnership funding to make them
affordable.
Arguably not very informative, but (call me naïve) in my opinion BT are
genuinely trying their best to really make it work this time.
Witness their policy of installing faceplates, re-wiring up to 30m
internally, transferring pairs (apparently), etc. (And please note, I have
no reason to unduly defend BT! I'm probably one of the bitterest people in
the group, by virtue of being one who had BB but had it taken away about a
year ago. Nevertheless I confess to a certain degree of optimism right now.)
Personally, I'd *dearly* love NTL to roll out the wireless service, if for
no other reason than that there would then be an alternative to BT.
Neil, Shenley Lodge
Oh, I nearly forgot... I have an ADSL trial activation date (with BT Ya-boo)
of... TOMORROW (eek). Watch this space. |
> Andy wrote: Can you confirm if you are being charged by
BTY! for the ADSL service during the trial ? (hint - you shouldn't be).
That's correct Andy. No activation fee, no hardware cost, no monthly fee, no
tie-in at the end of the trial (unless I choose to sign up for a normal
contract with them of course).
IMO, if BT Wholesale had made it easier (i.e.. a lot cheaper, if not
free) for the ISPs to participate in the trial, then many more folk would be
signing up, very much faster. As it is, there seems to be relatively low
recruitment, because lots of people are understandably concerned about
paying for what might turn out to be a sub-standard service during the
trial.
I gather that there is a pretty robust Chinese wall between BT Wholesale and
BTYahoo!, so BTY!'s decision to offer the trial FOC is theirs and theirs
alone - i.e.. it's irrelevant that they and BT Wholesale are part of the
same group. So in this respect I have to say "well done and thanks BTYahoo!"
Neil, Shenley Lodge |
BT said: "Assuming successful trial results, you the
customer will have the choice of continuing the service or ceasing it."
What does this mean? what are the criteria that BT will use to decide if the
trial is successful?
As I have said, if BT decide upon a new set of testing values (i.e. a
hypothetical 7.5km /65dB) as the new values which correspond to an
acceptable level of service. What will happen to the trialists that are
outside these values that have managed to get access during the trial?
Will BT allow all the people that are receiving broadband as part of the
trial to continue, irrespective of the line test results (I hope so), and If
so I would urge anyone who has not joined the trial, to do so NOW, as they
may not pass the line test for the 'Official' extended extended service if
it does go ahead!
It would great, NO, absolutely smashing, if BT could give us some
reassurance on this! I can think of nothing worse than to have broadband as
part of the trial, then have it taken away at the end!
Hughe |
The reason I'm optimistic about the current trial is that BT currently seem
to be so willing to carry out remedial engineering work on an individual
basis - faceplates, extension wiring, etc. If their agenda at the end of the
trial is simply to cease everyone who is over a certain line loss, why would
they bother? They could do that
*without* investing real money in the remedial work.
I agree totally that whatever planning rules come out of the trial, it would
be seriously bad PR for BT if they were to cease significant numbers of our
members at the end of the trial. So I'm assuming that they won't do so, even
if a member is outside any revised new rule. I therefore join Hughe in
urging everyone to sign up with their ISP of choice ASAP. "Use it or lose
it", as they say. Or perhaps more accurately, "Get it during the trial and
keep it, or risk not getting it at all afterwards".
As I've said before, call me naive, but I remain hopeful for now.
Neil, Shenley Lodge |
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