Posted: 09th Mar, 2004 By: MarkJ
The Regional Development Agency's (RDA) Yorkshire Forward broadband development grants have been accused of favouring ADSL (especially BTs) over rival technologies, such as satellite or wireless:
A leaked document seen by The Register contains details of the scheme and an application form for those wishing to take part. The form is littered with references to "BT" and "exchange" areas, prompting fears that the grants can only be used for BT's ADSL registration scheme.
Local broadband campaigners are concerned that the grant scheme - details of which could be announced as early as this week - will not be available to people campaigning for wireless networks or other technology platforms.
In the application form for Yorkshire Forward's Broadband Campaign Grant Scheme, the RDA says it "wishes to stimulate the demand for broadband in rural areas where ADSL broadband is not currently available". It also says that it is prepared to make a "contribution of up to £300 per exchange campaign" if certain criteria are met.Campaigner Lindsey Annison points out that the scheme clearly talks about BT exchanges and ADSL, somewhat sidelining wireless, satellite and non-BT based xDSL (LLU) alternatives.
The good news, as noted by
The Register, is that the leaked document was just a draft and is now in the process of being re-written. Hopefully it'll now become unbiased.