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Monkston Broadband

March 23rd 2006 - BT Statement

The work is complete. We receive the following statement from BT:

BT Update on Loughton & Monkston - March 2006

The Loughton and Monkston work is complete, all systems are updated and many of you are now placing broadband orders.
The Loughton work has involved laying new cable and the Monkston work has involved pulling in copper wires to replace the TPON lines which are unable to provide broadband. Both of these efforts mean everyone in Loughton and Monkston should be able to receive broadband.

If you live in Monkston you may receive the message below when you place your broadband order:
"Note: Our records indicate that BT has supplied service to this number using a special fibre. This explains why the checker has returned this marginal result. If you still wish to order then please note the order will be delayed until a site survey has been carried out to see if service can be provided."

Don't worry, this message does not mean that you cannot receive broadband. The BT number checker may return this message because it is not updated when new copper lines are installed into a TPON street cabinet. The change will occur when you place your order and your line is moved from fibre to copper.

Broadband bandwidths available for individual lines will vary due to the distance back to the exchange and the physics of individual lines. However, BT continues to trial and roll out faster bandwidths year on year and the bandwidths available today may be increased in the future.

Again, thank you for bearing with us.

January 30th 2006 - BT Statement

We receive a statement from BT:

January Update for Monkston & Loughton from BT

The BT field work for Monkston and Loughton was completed a few weeks ago as many of you will have witnessed. This work is followed by systems updating to ensure you can place broadband orders. We've identified some anomalies and are currently checking the systems for accuracy. We aim to report back shortly.

Thank you for you perseverance.

January 23rd 2006

Another new connection:

I have finally got a broadband connection from Virgin. Unfortunately, I could only get 512k speed.

It was connected yesterday - after months of waiting for it, it was a blessed sign of relief. As you can imagine, my kids were absolutely ecstatic with the wireless connection.

Thank you once again for all your efforts.

Ismail, Abbeydore Grove

[I'd expect 2Mbps. You may want to check the attenuation figure reported by your router.

The 512kbps will be an admin screw up - I'd wait till the next BT "database update" and then try for a faster speed with your ISP.

BT appear to update their database once a month.]

January 17th 2006

A new connection:

I thought you would like to know I was connected to Broadband today. Thanks for all your hard work.

Best wishes

Derek, Castle Acre

Still in limbo:

I live next to the bombing target in the middle of Monkston and ordered broadband from BT in early October, I was accepted and quickly received the modem. Tried to set it up on the going live day and had no luck, called BT and was told by customer care that I was beyond the reach of the exchange then by the engineering department (who had cancelled my order 2 days after sending the modem) that it was because of the fibre. Anyway I did get charged 3 months broadband straight to the credit card I have registered for my current Anytime service which luckily I spotted and was refunded by cheque (very modern).

What is exacerbating is both assessments, to allow me to order and then cancel my order, were made without visiting my home. Despite being asked every time I need to chat with them about the phone line - if I have considered getting broadband(?) - I have no idea if I'll ever be able to get it.

Just wondered in light of the fact that they are coppering Monkston up if it's worth having another go, I haven't got a lot of confidence in getting away from my 56k modem any time soon.

P.S. My neighbour, a double garage away, has had 2Mb for a couple of years now!

Bye

Roy Smith, Blanchland Circle

January 7th 2006

BT have started wiring up people. By that I mean they are connecting Monkston residents to the new copper cable.

Order your broadband NOW!

This is not an official announcement. I'm still waiting for that!

This informal announcement is an result of me waylaying an engineer in Monkston and asking "What you doing?"

A 1000 pair cable has been put in.
About a dozen residents have been "swapped" from TPON to copper and they will be getting broadband imminently, if not already.
Soon be done.

November 30th 2005

Junction Blanchard Circle and Bridlington Crescent

BT wrote "The road crossing at Blanchard[sic] Circle has required additional ducting".

This groundwork looks nearly complete, nothing that a skip and a shovel wouldn't sort out.

Some grass seed might be a good idea too.

November 23rd 2005

We receive a statement from BT:

BT Update on Monkston

23/11/05

Apologies for the late update.

There has been a slight delay to our Monkston schedule because of the demands of emergency work elsewhere. We aim to have the main Monkston duct completed by the end of November and cables are now being pulled into the adjoining ducts.

The road crossing at Blanchard Circle has required additional ducting adding to the overall work load. However, our anticipated completion date remains December/January.

We will provide a further update once the work is complete.

Again, thank you for bearing with us.

November 14th 2005

Rob writes:

14/11/05 11:18

I've been keeping an eye out for all the BT activities as you drive into Kilwinning Drive. After 2 weeks of chaos and mayhem things seem to be back to normal.

My question is: "Do you have an up date as to when the connection to the exchange will be done?" I know the road works have finished and they did say a guestimated time of Jan would be then the time that it would be finished and available ... does this still stand do you know?

Rob

[No official news. Nor have I seen any obvious work in Monkston Park, mentioned in the List of planned road works. They're currently busy with bridges crossing the River Ouzel and the Grand Union Canal along the H7. I guess the work is related, since the cable will have to cross these bridges to get to Fishermead.]

November 4th 2005

2 huge underground telephone cables are are seen lying on grass running to a manhole at the end of Killwinning Drive, by the V9.

Looks like cable laying work has been started.

21st October

They're getting on with it!

19th October 2005

At last we're seeing some action in Monkston!

Roadworks have just started for the new broadband cable.

There's a stack of grey ducts on the verge, and glyphs have appeared on the BT manholes.

BT's Statement:

We receive a statement from BT:

BT Update on Monkston

3/10/05

Our work to improve the network serving Monkston is now scheduled for completion in December or early January pending no further unexpected issues arising. Monkston is served by some twenty TPON street cabinets which contain copper lines from customer’s homes and fibre optic lines connecting the street cabinet to the telephone exchange.

Before planning the solution for Monkston could begin, a number of exploratory tests were conducted. The tests revealed the need for extensive roadside trench and ducting work to ensure all twenty TPON cabinets could be served by the introduction of copper cables linking them back to the exchange. (Currently commercial ADSL broadband works over copper wires only. BT’s solution for Monkston is to provide a copper path from the street cabinet back to the exchange.)

Status of the work: BT have served notice to the Council for permission to dig up the roadside along the traffic sensitive streets involved. Once permission is granted, the new ducting and cable laying can commence. We currently estimate approximately one month for the completion of the roadside work and approximately three weeks for the cable laying work. We anticipate a mid October start on the roadside trenching and duct work.

We will provide an update on progress at the end of October.

Thank you for bearing with us.

Planned Monkston Roadworks

October 2005

Geraint finds a List of planned road works on the council web site. Council's Highways Department report that BT will be digging up Killwinning Drive, Monkston in October. Colindale Street, Monkston Park, is also due for attention from BT's subcontractor's JCB.

I gave the Council's "road works" a call: BT will be opening a 9 metre trench on Killwinning Drive. 2 lengths of PVC duct will be laid.

The doctored photo shows my best guess where the deed will be done, which is, in fact, totally WRONG!

Somewhat Irritated of Monkston

August 2005

As we all know by now, ADSL only works on copper. There are no spare copper wires in the telephone cable running to Monkston: the copper cable BT laid in 2003 is all used up!

BT say that they'll have Monkston sorted by the end of October 2005. This doesn't stop my inbox from filling up with emails from my neighbours.

I usually provide the following reply:

BT say: Copper cable will be provided to enable all existing customers to be transferred off TPON and on to copper to ensure they're able to receive broadband. BT plan to move customers off TPON as soon as the copper is in place which will also make ordering broadband easier. This work is also scheduled for completion in October 2005 and should ensure that 512kbps broadband is available to everyone on the estate with the expectation that most will be able to receive higher speeds.

My Inbox

Hello Nick

I wonder if you could spare a moment to listen to my tale of woe!
For almost 5 years I have lived in Monkston. Initially, from November 2000, in Culross Grove. Several times I applied for Broadband access to be told that my line quality was too poor. Finally, after several other attempts, and reading in the press that BT had extended their allowable noise limits to 60dB, I applied again, had a reading of 59.something, and was given access! At last I was happy. My ISP, PlusNet, provided a good service and, despite my being "close to the limit" my service was spot on. This was around 2 years ago.

Now onto my tale of woe. In June this year I moved around 200 yards to a new property in Monkston (Parkminster). I informed PlusNet in good time of my move, and accepted that (as I was keeping my BT number) I may be without service for 10 days or so. Now, over 2 months and many BT order requests later, I still have no broadband access. All the while (as is PlusNet policy) I am still being charged for a broadband service - and in fact have even had to pay PlusNet more money to sign up to obtain temporary dial up access! I am SO frustrated. PlusNet tell me I cannot speak to BT, and yet give me absolutely minimal information about why I am being rejected. My most recent attempt to request broadband (basic 512K service) was rejected due to too much line noise. And yet I am only 200 yards from where I received a perfect service (and, as it happens, CLOSER to the exchange than I was before) and I just wish they would give me the service I am asking for - even if my line noise is "close to the edge".

I read on your web site that BT have done away with the line noise "excuse" for 512K services - so why do BT keep rejecting me? Please offer some advice or help!!!
Andy, Parkminster, Monkston

Hello Nick
Do I take it you are in Monkston too?

[Indeed I am! http://www.bb4mk.co.uk/my_struggle.htm]

Is there a detailed plan/map that shows which parts of Monkston can receive Broadband and which cannot? (I saw the list of Monkston "successes" on your web site, but surely BT must KNOW who can get it and who cannot?)

[Yes - everyone that's got a phone connected using TPON cannot get broadband. There are quite a few Monkstonians on TPON.]

And this being the case, why can't they give me and my ISP a definitive answer about why I cannot receive Broadband at the moment - and a plan for when the work will be complete (I guess this is "October").

[Why, that would infer a commitment to a decision making process that's then made public!

BT really don't like saying anything, unless it's already common knowledge.]

At least if I were told categorically "you cannot have Broadband at the moment because...." it would be better than the limbo I am in right now where my ISP keeps placing order after order! That seems so "messy" and ad hoc when surely someone (BT) must KNOW? Because I received Broadband 200 yards away for a few years before moving here, I am continuing to PAY for broadband while my ISP tries to sort it out. Who should I be angry with at this time when I am paying for nothing - BT, my ISP or who? One person at PlusNet even implied that if I DO finally get broadband, then I will get no refund for the money I have paid for the past 2 and a half months because it was not their fault! Again, surely when I moved either BT or PlusNet should have been able to tell me THEN whether there was a problem and I could have stopped paying. It seems in PlusNet's interest to let this drag on as they are getting my money and yet today I know no more than I did in early June about whether or why I can/cannot receive Broadband.

Sorry to rant.... am getting to the end of my tether...

[A rather fine rant, and I've seen a few!]

Andy, Parkminster, Monkston

Hi Nick
I am planning to rent a house in Monkston, down Tewksbury Avenue which is right on the edge of the V10 side of the estate, towards the Open University corner.

BT’s checker has returned:

For Telephone Number 01908xxxxxx on Exchange BRADWELL ABBEY

Your exchange has ADSL broadband.

Our initial test indicates that it is *VERY UNLIKELY* you will be able to receive 512Kbps or 256Kbps broadband service due to the very long length of your telephone line. However, your order will be accepted if you still wish to order. An engineer may need to visit who will, where possible, supply the broadband service. It is currently not possible to provide the 1Mbps or 2Mbps ADSL broadband services.

We are continuing to work with the modem manufacturers and the broadband industry to try and find alternative solutions.

Thank you for your interest.

Note: Our records indicate that BT has supplied service to this number using a special fibre. This explains why the checker has returned this marginal result. If you still wish to order then please note the order will be delayed until a site survey has been carried out to see if service can be provided.

I’ve had a look at the bb4mk site, and note that a meeting was held with BT in March this year where they advised the estate will be upgraded to Broadband by October 2005.

So my questions - is Monkston now totally covered (or will it be in the very near future), and what speeds can I expect?
[No - not yet.]

I know the person I’ll be renting off so can get the line checked by BT before I move in. I won't be moving to Monkston if I can't get broadband, and it that case will probably move to one of the satellite towns (Newport Pagnell etc) rather than MK itself.
When entering my phone number at Zen, it knows it's a TPON area - more detailed information than BT give you.

Thanks for you time and help,

Steve, Tewksbury Avenue, Monkston

Hi Nick
One or two ISPs are willing to try an install. I’ve also got some contacts from BT looking into it, but not sure if they’ll come back with
anything useful.

What I really need to know is if BT are still going ahead with more copper lines by October this year, as planned in March. Do you have any updates on this?
[No - not yet.]
Great site by the way, very informative. My friend was involved in a similar initiative to get the Cranfield exchange upgraded, always good to see people doing something about the problem rather than just complaining about it!

Steve, Tewksbury Avenue, Monkston

Hello

We just moved from Shrewsbury Close in Monkston, Milton Keynes where I could get broadband, to Kilwinning Drive in Monkston Milton Keynes. BT informed us that the test on our new line failed and therefore we will not get the broadband!
I queried this with BT again. They confirmed that we will not be able to get broadband because of the type of line we have, fibre optics. They also said that they will not be able to change it from fibre to copper for a while.

Do you have any idea if there are plans to make copper lines available in this part of Monkston (Kilwinning Drive)?

Évelyne, Kilwinning Drive, Monkston.

Hello Nick

I spoke with my neighbour yesterday and they have broadband. Their line has been changed from fibre optic to copper.

I just also spoke to BT again and the reason why they can not change our line is because they are not free copper line available. Their planning team is saying that this means that we will never be able to get broadband and there is nothing we can do.
BT also said that the distance between the Exchange box and my house is 7 km, therefore they can not provide broadband. This is on the top of the fact that the line is TPON (fibre).

Could you please advise what steps can we take now?

Évelyne, Kilwinning Drive, Monkston.

Hi Nick
I have just come across your website which is just the thing which I need.

Basically, I have been trying to get a broadband with great difficulties. I live in Abbeydore Grove, Monkston.

I pay phone rental to BT and phone line with Homecall. Over a month ago, I applied for a broadband connection with Homecall who assured me that following check on my phone number, that I would receive 2Mbps connection.

It now transpires that my line is a marked one and has asked me to contact BT to get it removed. BT advised me that my line was “TPON” marked but could not remove it until Homecall contacts them. I went back to Homecall who said that it is BT. It now boils down to the fact that Homecall does not have a clue and certainly cannot provide 2Mbps line.

Can you please advise me what should I do to get a broadband connection and with whom do I apply to?

Any help would be gratefully received.

If there is anything I can do to help the membership, please let me know.

Ismail, Abbeydore Grove, Monkston.

Hi Nick

Just as an update for you, I also approached Virgin Net - they also said they could provide 1 MB line but now has said that they can't.

I have now approached Zen Internet who said they should be able to provide me with a 1Mb line (hopefully within 5 working days) - they have contacted BT to do the necessary work.
Will let you know what happens.

Thanks for your help.

Kind regards

Ismail, Abbeydore Grove, Monkston.

Hi
I live in Lilleshall Avenue on Monkston and after changing from pay and call with telecom (this tariff doesn't support broadband) to a quarterly phone bill I then had my order for broadband cancelled via Tesco stating that i have fibre optic phone cables to my house which don't support broadband so I am now back to square one.

I have spoken to both my neighbours and they are in the same position. I'll be passing on your website details!

All the best

Kevin, Lilleshall Avenue, Monkston.

Hi Nick
For a couple of weeks now I’ve been trying to get broadband installed. After several line tests failing I’ve now been informed that there are no spare copper pairs available.

The BT broadband availability checker says my exchange has ADSL.

I know of several neighbours who have broadband and are using the same exchange.

[I'm a neighbour too!]

Do you have any additional information from BT regarding their capacity status?

Any advice you can offer to get this moving forward would be appreciated.

I appreciate you keeping the wrangling and pressure going with BT.

Thanks and regards,

Nigel, Bridlington Crescent, Monkston

Hi

I have been reading the website for Broadband in MK, I am having difficulties trying to get a ISP for my address in Monkston (Brecon Court, off Lilleshall Avenue). I have tried Tesco who got to the final stage and told me BT had a problem because the conversion to ADSL is outside BT cost limits. Any other ISP web page I go onto informs me that I can't have broadband.
I called BT who informed me that my line was at a status of Amber and 9 out of 10 persons could get broadband from Amber but they were very vague.

On reading the website I understand that it will be in October 05 until BT finish their current upgrade. Please can you clarify this for me? I am reluctant to approach BT for their Broadband service as their current packages are not that attractive compared to most other ISP.

[BT provide the cables that carry ADSL for all the ISPs. You're not obliged to give BT your business if you prefer to use another ISP.]

Is there anything I can do or any contact numbers of people I can call to assist me in getting Broadband sooner rather than later.

Regards

Jason, Brecon Court, Monkston

Hi Nick

I have been trying to get some information from BT but to no avail. I have sent a few mails to BT Wholesale who just reply with the same info all the time. It seems that no one will speak about the Monkston Issue.

Regards

Jason, Brecon Court, Monkston

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