Broadband for Monkston and Middleton

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Forthcoming meeting with the Head of IT

I have organised a meeting with Mr Steven Jewell, Head of IT at MK Council. I sent the following email to all members:

Campaign HQ
9/4/03

As you know, I'm approaching various wireless network companies to investigate the feasibility of Broadband for our area.

The Head of IT at MK Council, Steven Jewell, would prefer us not to "do our own thing" but, instead, to be part of the MK Council's Broadband pilot. The Council's initial deployment is planned for August.

He would prefer us to be patient.

I will still actively approach wireless network companies. We may be able to secure an alternative wireless solution in a more timely fashion.

Who knows, BT may actually run in some new cable! Then we can say goodbye to Wireless LANs!

Anyway... I have arranged a meeting with Mr Jewell.

He will give us a progress report, and a financial breakdown. He believes that the Council's pilot will lead to a solution that is more competitive.

Make a note: 18:00 on Wednesday 7th May 2003. MK Civic Offices.

Let me know beforehand if you're going to attend. (Car share / size of room to book.)

The post meeting report is here.

Members Reply:

Do I care what Mr Jewell wants??

He should care about what we want...!! What does he understand?

I will probably install my own satellite broadband receiver soon

Regards

Wim

[He has covered a lot of ground - let's hear what he has to say.
I certainly haven't stopped approaching companies because we might get in the way of the Council's pilot!]
 
There are no rubbish bins by either of my kid's school's. Why would I believe that MK Council will do anything constructive to help us get Broadband? When they don't install rubbish bins??

Personally, after being in MK for eight years, I am inclined not to believe a word they say.

I'm getting sick of my slow and erratic BT connection. And I call it a connection in the loosest terms!

I am fully behind the continuing 'Do our thing' method.

Rachel
 
I work in IT Security, and wireless scares the life out of me! The wireless companies will tell you it's secure, but it certainly isn't! I am happy to run any claims past our wireless expert.

MK Council do what Cisco tell them to do!!

Regards

Rob

[I only see Wireless as an interim solution. We need fibre to the home!]

 

I will pencil that in for 7th please keep me informed.

Tahir

[See you there!]
 
You write 'I am still actively "doing our own thing" by approaching various wireless network companies' and I wondered exactly what you are doing. Are you looking for a complete solution from these companies or just the hardware?

[I'm investigating a complete solution.
The potential company will do everything. Provide the "backhaul", maintenance support, and collect the money!
I do not want to be involved with day to day running and support of the system.]
 
I would like to come but am on holiday that week - sorry.

Would be very interested to learn of the outcome

Toby
 
Count me in!

Can you get some quotes together for wireless solutions before then? I'd like an idea on costs and other bits and bobs, so if the
council are being ripped off we will know about it. I'd like to know who's providing any firewalls, security stuff, and other related stuff. If you could find that out in advance then I'd be most grateful.

John

[Wireless kit I guess is Ogier and NTL Wireless, reading appendix 4.

But I have no idea on network kit, e.g. routers.... It's all at the tendering stage.]
 
I will be there! sounds interesting.

Thanks for the note.

Colin
 
I will definitely attend.

Speak plenty beforehand anyway I hope.

Thanks

Alison
 
Thanks for the email.

I am disabled and don't leave the house very often. I won't be able to attend the meeting.

Send me the name and address of the chappy in charge and I will be more than happy to write to him and appeal...little though it may help.

Regards,

James

[I guess: http://www.miltonkeynes.gov.uk/mkcouncil/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=14725]
 
I will be interested in almost any route into adsl (with the exception of satellite/56k modem).

David
 
Yes, I would like to come to this meeting.

See you there,

Antoan
 
If  Mr Jewel could give us a cast iron guarantee we would get onto this program, ( and that it would work!! ) fair enough. I fear instead that, like so many council initiatives it will be delays and apologies, spec changes and excuses.
I'd love to be proved wrong obviously....

Happy to attend meeting on the 7th.

Regards

Warwick
 
I should be able to make it.
 
Peter
 
...And I've booked time for the Civic Meeting too.

Richard
 
I can make the meeting.

Should be interesting to see how the mast locations that they are suggesting will cover Middleton, Monkston etc.

Paul
 
...if I am free I'll come along.

George
 
We will definitely be attending the meeting on the 7th, and we will try and get our neighbours interested too.

We live in St Helens Grove and have been personally lobbying BT for months now, not as much as you though! I am getting sick of them sending me emails advertising their Broadband service as well as their sales staff ringing us up! I cant believe that we have moved here and can't get high speed access! Dark Ages or what!!!

Please count us in, and I will work on the neighbours!

Good Luck
Michael and Rachel Wood.
 

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