Broadband for Monkston and Middleton

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BT's Technological Advance - "a simple fix" - Good News!

Here's a news item from The Register: BT to trial 1Mbps ADSL.

Of particular interest is this extract:

"On a similar note, BT is also mulling whether to introduce a 'simple fix' that would mean people connected to their local exchange via optical fibre (which doesn't support ADSL) - rather than copper - should be able to get broadband. Once again, more details of this are expected to be published next month will a full service launch pencilled in for June."

Geraint emailed broadbandquestions@bt.com. "How will this 'simple fix' be effected?" Here's BT's reply:

-----Original Message-----
From: broadbandquestions@bt.com [mailto:broadbandquestions@bt.com]
Sent: 25 March 2003 16:43
Subject: RE: Fibre UPDATE

Hello,

We announced today that we are considering a simple fix that would end the frustration experienced by some people who cannot get broadband because they are connected to their exchange via optical fibre, which cannot support ADSL technology.

The solution would use copper cables- some existing, some new- to bypass the fibre.  More details will be published in April, working towards a planned launch in June 03.

Kind Regards,
Anna Brain

For more information please go to: BT.com/broadband

British Telecommunications plc
Registered Office: 81 Newgate Street London EC1A 7AJ
Registered in England no. 1800000

Not too promising! Half of the Monkston estate is already on copper; only a minority of homes have ADSL.

I put a metaphorical pen to metaphorical paper:

Hi BT

You recently announced that you are considering a simple fix that would end the frustration experienced by some people who cannot get broadband because they are connected to their exchange via optical fibre, which cannot support ADSL technology.

Wondrous News!

Your solution is to use copper cables- some existing, some new- to bypass the fibre.

How will this help Monkston and Middleton, two estates within Milton Keynes?

Part of the area is already on copper, with only five ADSL customers that we know of.

ADSL is not guaranteed: your exchange at Bradwell Abbey is further than the proscribed distance limit.

We are over 6 km from Bradwell Abbey.

Switching from fibre to copper will not help us.

Am I correct?

Nick Hubbard
Coordinator
Monkston and Middleton Broadband Campaign. (A membership 110 strong and counting!)
http://www.bb4monkston.co.uk/

I'm stunned to get a prompt reply:

Dear Mr. Hubbard,

The simple fix for TPON/fibre areas will not solve the problems for those who are outside the required the line length for ADSL broadband.

However, we are also looking into ways to solve the line length problems associated with delivering ADSL broadband. This summer, we hope to extend the maximum line noise level from 55dB to 60dB. This will affect 600,000 connections and raise the number of people on enabled exchanges who are within the limits, from 94.5 per cent to 97.5 percent.

Regards,

Miranda van de Heijning
BT Wholesale
Broadband Deployment

For more information please go to: BT.com/broadband

British Telecommunications plc
Registered Office: 81 Newgate Street London EC1A 7AJ
Registered in England no. 1800000

Potentially good news!

Our fibre optic runs from Fishermead. The distance from that exchange to Middleton and Monkston is 3 km, well within the 5.5km ADSL limit.

This is potentially good news!

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