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UK St Albans Residents in Hissy Fit over BT FTTC Broadband Cabinets

By: MarkJ - 6 March, 2010 (8:12 AM) - Score: 3669 - Fixed Line Broadband

Attempts by BT engineers to install the operators latest 40Mbps Fibre-to-the-Cabinet ( FTTC ) broadband technology in St Albans, which is part of a £1.5 billion programme to rollout next generation broadband to 40% of the UK by summer 2012, have been thwarted after angry residents of The Ridgeway blocked them from constructing a necessary new cabinet.

Guiseppe Giubba, a local resident, told The Herts Advertiser:

"I told them I'm not having this. They are trying to obstruct me from getting in and out of my drive. And anyway I don't intend to look at that eyesore from my house. They can either move it somewhere else or I will."

Councillor Chris Hackett , another local resident, added:

"My neighbour and myself are very unhappy at the prospect of having to look at this massive ugly structure spoiling the view from our front rooms. There are plenty of other sites which would be more suitable."

The situation is almost identical to one that BT faced last year in Muswell Hill, North London, when residents of a conservation area forced similar work to be halted (here). The locals complained that BT's large new 1.8m tall junction boxes (cabinets) were "unsightly" and causing an obstruction.

However the issue in St Albans is less clear cut because BT is attempting to install its new cabinets OUTSIDE of a conservation area, which it is allowed to do. The council would have no authority to refuse permission for the BT boxes, despite angering more than one of its members.

It's understood that District Cllr Jack Pia is now trying to organise a meeting between the councillors, local residents and BT to discuss possible alternative solutions without sacrificing the very real benefits that a fibre optic based broadband connection can bring. But if they don't want the box then we'll have it instead wink

. Credits to Thinkbroadband for spotting the news.

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Comments: 16

cyberdoyle
Posted: 6 March, 2010 - 9:38 AM
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wish we could have the cabinets here. The St Albans lot are nutters.

Hermes
Posted: 6 March, 2010 - 9:59 AM
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I don't get why they don't just mount them on telephone poles like AT&T do in the US to get around residents who have a problem with the monster cabinets?

H

MarkJ
Posted: 6 March, 2010 - 11:06 AM
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They could use smaller cabinets but the bigger ones allow space for future expansion, which in the long run saves money.

Adam
Posted: 6 March, 2010 - 12:12 PM
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Well if they dont want the cabinet i'll have it on my drive if it means i can get cable broadband!

Sloman
Posted: 6 March, 2010 - 12:59 PM
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pffft your loss, plenty of others who will be happy to have them installed, BT you can install it my garden if you wish i don't care

ButtonMoon
Posted: 6 March, 2010 - 1:19 PM
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Utterly bizarre. Next year they will be complaining because their broadband isn't fast enough. Plenty of other people would be happy with such a box on their street.

I know, why don't we also reduce taxes and increase public services. I'm guessing that might also get a lot of support.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

timeless
Posted: 6 March, 2010 - 3:39 PM
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my bet is the ppl that complain about it dont want or wont ever have the internet, in fact l have a friend down that way where they are installing the boxes, and from what l know hes against the boxes because well the above reasons and the fact he doesnt want something installed right outside his home that he will never use (he kinda lives in an area populated by the elderly, then again he is elderly himself so it figures)

still it really peevs me off that some ppl complain about improvements just because it looks a little grotesque, lve seen much worse in ppls gardens.

stalbs res
Posted: 6 March, 2010 - 4:52 PM
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I agree with comments about these NIMBY's and yes I'd be happy to have one outside our front door (and yes I do live in St Albs..still waiting after years of cable ducts and no cables)

Snobbery
Posted: 6 March, 2010 - 5:15 PM
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These will be the very same whining snobs who will be moaning that the rest of the country is getting faster broadband and they can't. No wonder Telco's like BT are so lacking in proactivity - Would you be when faced with imbeciles like these residents. And for the record St Albans is far from being a beautiful landscape.

otester
Posted: 7 March, 2010 - 9:02 AM
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FTTC is **** anyways, the usage allowances are insanely low.

30GB / 500GB (peak / off-peak) will set you back £132 (AAISP).

Even current prices for BT-based 8Mbps products are cheaper (50GB / 200GB) for £28). For £15 via LLU you can get unmetered 16Mbps (5.25TB worth of data).

Unless you want BT's 'unlimited' product...

Tom
Posted: 7 March, 2010 - 6:31 PM
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If they dont want it then dont let them have it, that includes any broadband in the future.

Steve
Posted: 8 March, 2010 - 7:10 AM
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What a load of blinkered, childish, self-centred commenters. Broadband isn't every other peoples reason for living! Just because you guys deem it ultra-important to have the fastest access doesn't mean people that dont are 'imbeciles'. Get a (non-virtual) life you lot. Grow up and try to look at the other fella's POV sometimes. Sheesh.

SP
Posted: 8 March, 2010 - 10:55 AM
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If you want faster broadband, put up with the boxes. If you don't want faster broadband, you haven't got much choice I'm afraid. It does annoy me to see so many people complaining about broadband speeds, and something finally gets underway, then everyone starts complaining.

Ok, the sets of people are from different generations. The elderly who don't want or need broadband. And everyone else who does. One or the other has to make a sacrafice.

Steve - it is a broadband forum, generally looked at by people who do spend a lot of time online. I think they're entitled to their opion, just as you are, and just as the residents of St. Albans.

neil
Posted: 20 March, 2010 - 10:41 AM
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BT have installed one of these ugly cabinets infront of my home in Manchester.. I have written to the council and was informed that BT can install these oversized green boxes where they like.. lets see what they say if I build a 8ft wall around my house.!

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