27 April, 2008 - 8:50 AM
Residents of Scotland’s picturesque Tweed Valley village are up in arms at BTs failure to deliver faster broadband services. There are 350 households in the area and nearly all of them are online, yet speeds are estimated to be roughly 32 times slower than in neighbouring Peeblesshire.
In addition, 30 properties outside of the village have no broadband access at all. Sadly a recently held community meeting, which was organized by MP David Mundell and included BT, has failed to resolve the problem:
BT estimates that it would cost upwards of £500,000 to shorten the line and carry out additional work for faster broadband services. That's a lot of cash for such a small area and BT was not willing to cover the cost. Mundell now hopes to raise the issue with Ofcom.
In addition, 30 properties outside of the village have no broadband access at all. Sadly a recently held community meeting, which was organized by MP David Mundell and included BT, has failed to resolve the problem:
Mr Mundell told the Peeblesshire News: "The BT representatives stated there were no current technologies which allow the signals to be boosted on the existing cable and they dismissed the possibility of any sort of exchange in Cardrona itself.
There were discussions about wireless and satellite solutions but there were mixed views in the audience about previous use of such systems. Obviously there was considerable discussion around the fact as to why BT was able to charge customers for a service which was not being delivered and I certainly felt they had no answer on that point."
A spokeswoman for BT said: "BT does not charge its customers for a service that it cannot provide. Broadband will only be provided if a stable rate can be identified on any given line."
There were discussions about wireless and satellite solutions but there were mixed views in the audience about previous use of such systems. Obviously there was considerable discussion around the fact as to why BT was able to charge customers for a service which was not being delivered and I certainly felt they had no answer on that point."
A spokeswoman for BT said: "BT does not charge its customers for a service that it cannot provide. Broadband will only be provided if a stable rate can be identified on any given line."
BT estimates that it would cost upwards of £500,000 to shorten the line and carry out additional work for faster broadband services. That's a lot of cash for such a small area and BT was not willing to cover the cost. Mundell now hopes to raise the issue with Ofcom.
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