19th April 2006

Dear Phyllis

Re: Access to broadband In Milton

Further to our acknowledgement dated 28th March, I am replying to your letter of 27th March.

The BT network offers 99.6% national broadband coverage at speeds of up to 2Mb/s. This exceeds the coverage available anywhere else in the G8. Only last week we increased the maximum speed nationally to up to 8Mb/s. Geographic coverage achieved at a given speed depends on factors including the topology of the access network, which as you say is a particular  problem for some customers in Milton Keynes.

In Milton Keynes, as in other areas of the country, we regularly undertake work to upgrade the access network specifically to allow customers to access broadband. For example in November 2005 we installed new duct and thicker gauge copper cable in Loughton capable of delivering broadband to 840 lines which until then were unable to support the service. A further example is that customers served by the Monkston exchange in the area which uses the fibre network (called TPON) for telephony can now get broadband over the new copper lines we have Installed. This means that over 750 customers in this area can now get broadband.

You mention our 21CN programme. The 21st Century Network (21CN) will provide the enabling infrastructure for growth for BT and the whole UK telecommunications industry. It will require an investment by BT of up to £10 billion over the next five years and put the UK at the cutting edge of innovation.  We have been working closely with the entire telecommunications industry to agree the schedule for roll-out across the UK. As these discussions are ongoing, I cannot give you any timescales for Milton Keynes as yet but I will share them with you as soon as they are available.

The 21CN programme will transform our many legacy networks into a simpler, but more powerful, single network, which will be the platform for a full portfolio of new wave services, as well as continuing to support the more traditional services. However, the 21CN programme does not include the replacement of our existing copper access network with fibre optic cable. We are running a trial using fibre optical cable with 240 customers at the Bradwell Abbey exchange. The trial is to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of using this method of delivering service, and for its use at greenfield sites in particular.

BT planning people regularly meet with Milton Keynes Council, English Partnerships and Milton Keynes Economic and Learning Partnership. We believe that this two way dialogue is important as Milton Keynes plans its expansion.

Finally, you asked about the ownership of the cable TV network in Milton Keynes. I can confirm, that BT sold this to NTL some years ago, although some of the cable infrastructure is leased to NTL for operational reasons. I would be happy to discuss this commercially sensitive arrangement In more detail at a meeting if you require further information. I can be contacted on 0207 356 5353 or by email at tim.osullivan@bt.com.

TIM O'SULLIVAN

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

BT IN MILTON KEYNES SOUTH WEST
Dr Phyllis Starkey MP

BT is no longer just a phone-service provider. We are active in various areas of your community, striving to make a better world through better communications. Here is some information about BT involvement in your constituency.

BT EMPLOYEES
281 employees live in your constituency
611 employees work in your constituency

BROADBAND
All exchanges in your constituency are broadband enabled. Average take-up is xx.x% compared to the South East average which is xx.x% and the UK average which is xx.x%.* [Average take-up is about one third more than the South East average.]

CHARITABLE WORK CARRIED OUT BY OUR EMPLOYEES
BT people are actively involved with local volunteering clubs, with 37 volunteers covering the Buckinghamshire region. These clubs and their volunteers aim to improve communication skills in your area by making speaking and listening skills resources available to schools. They are the main delivery arm of the BT Education Programme. This includes providing ICT, communication and delivery skills training for teachers and technology demonstrations.

As a founder member the Per Cent Club, BT commits 0.5% of its annual pre-tax profits to community projects around the UK: last year our direct spend in the South East was over £760,000 and in-kind contributions amounted to over £1.16 million, plus £1.8 million was donated to charity in the region by 10,000 BT people through our Give As You Earn scheme.

BT EDUCATION
BT has a wide range of support for schools and teachers. This includes a touring skills road-show as well as a range of online resources, including an awards scheme with more than £100,000 available a term. If you know of a school that could benefit from BT's Education Programme. please contact Suzanne Masterton on 020 7356 5392 or email suzanne.masterton@bt.com.

OTHER WAYS YOUR CONSTITUENTS CAN BENEFIT FROM BTS CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAMME...

BT COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Small voluntary organisations can take advantage of our BT Community connections scheme, a UK wide awards initiative developed to 'e-enable' local community projects so that they can benefit through connection to the Internet. Last year in your constituency, Netherfield Homework Club and St Johns Ambulance Bletchley Cadets both benefited from BT Community Connections by receiving an internet-ready PC and a software package worth £1300. For further information please contact Suzanne Masterton (details above).

BT OFFERS FREE WEBSITES
BT allows offers all registered UK Charities, non-profit making organisations and volunteer led groups or organisations the opportunity to build and maintain their own website free of charge at http://www.communitykit.co.uk

*Figures as of March 2006. These figures refer to ADSL take up and exclude cable. This information is commercially sensitive, and is for your information only.