Nick,

I am a user of Scottish Power in Middleton. I contacted Scottish Power regarding broadband to see if they had anything up their kilts. This is the response I got (and I quote):

Dear Dave

Thank you for your email.

At present we have no plans regarding internet via mains cabling or power line access. If this was to happen in the future it will be advertised via the press.

Regards

Sheena Dickson

Customer Services

Clearly a waste of electrons.

Regards,

Dave
 

As promised, I'm sending you an update which we have sent to our service provider customers. I hope this helps and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this solution works for you.

Kind regards

INTRODUCTION

Current Broadband technology is delivered via BT's copper network. However in some areas of the UK where a copper route is not feasible due to distance limitations, TPON (Telecommunications over Passive Optical Network) has been used instead to ensure that we can comply with our obligation to provide basic telephony service to all potential customers. In these areas the connection from the street cabinet back to the local telephone exchange is by optical fibre rather than copper cables. As there is no metallic path back to the local ADSL enabled exchange, TPON served customers will currently fail a line qualifying check for broadband.

UPGRADE PROGRAMME

We have identified a number of TPON areas that are within the theoretical range of a broadband enabled exchange and where existing copper networks can be utilised or built upon, subject to cost. Our solution involves switching the lines of people in TPON areas who want broadband to newly installed copper cables that overlay the fibre, or to limited existing overlay copper cables. Please note that in some cases the customers' telephone number may need to be changed.

The programme of work to plan and install new copper cables to these TPON areas is underway with the first few completed sites available from early June 2003.

Exchanges that become enabled through the pre-registration scheme and local partnerships will also be reviewed for the presence of TPON in their areas and, subject to cost and technical limitations, be added to the upgrade programme.

A regularly updated spreadsheet of the TPON areas that are being upgraded will be made available to service providers from early June. This spreadsheet will provide information on the progress of providing copper to selected TPON areas from the planning stage to completion. Service Providers will be able to use this information to advise their End Users who are in TPON areas of the likely dates for getting broadband service.

Although we anticipate that the majority of customers in a fibre-fed area will be able to receive broadband over copper from their ADSL enabled local exchange it must be stressed that not all customers will be within reach of ADSL technology.

ADSL AVAILABILITY CHECKER

>From the end of May 2003, the on-line ADSL availability checker will be updated to change the availability RAG result for a telephone number in a TPON area from a RED to AMBER. The associated message will also be changed to advise customers that they may be able to receive service subject to further checks and survey. An order placed by the customer with their Service Provider will be subject to survey to check the availability of copper wires in the TPON area. This survey will also check that the customer is within the maximum reach of the ADSL technology. Service Providers will be asked only to place orders for sites that are completed having checked the programme schedule mentioned earlier in this brief.