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Plusnet Backs Rural Scottish ADSL

Posted: 18th Jun, 2004 By: MarkJ

UK ISP Plusnet is pleased to be taking part in a trial to bring broadband Internet access to two rural districts of Scotland, Fort William and Dingwall. This relates to earlier news about the expansion of BTs 10KM extended reach trials:

PlusNet helps further extend the reach of broadband

Two rural districts of Scotland, Fort William and Dingwall are set to join Milton Keynes in trials to provide broadband to areas previously unable to receive the service. PlusNet is pleased to be taking part in this project that aims to ultimately allow a million more homes and businesses throughout the UK to get broadband ADSL.

Up to one hundred volunteers in each of the Scottish areas are now being sought, to see if they too can successfully receive ADSL service during the testing, set to begin on July 1st.

The trials, being carried out by BT throughout this summer, will help establish ways in which the area of viable ADSL service might be extended, to cover up to 99% of all those connected to broadband enabled exchanges. By extending the reach, BT hopes to address the frustrating situation in which many find themselves, of not being able to get ADSL when their neighbours can.

Marco Potesta, Marketing Director of PlusNet said, "We are pleased to be taking part in these additional trials that will help to further extend the reach of broadband. We have already seen a good response from people in the Milton Keynes area, with many positive comments from customers now enjoying high-speed broadband Internet."

The extended reach trials aim to provide 'up to 10 times faster than standard dial' 512k ADSL service on lines up to 10km distance from the enabled exchange. Currently the maximum distance over which ADSL service may be reliably provided is 6km. Not all connections are expected to work during the trials; however BT will carry out extensive line testing at each location. BT Wholesale plans to use the information provided to launch longer-distance broadband products later this year.

People in the Milton Keynes (dial code 01908), Fort William (dial code 01397) and Dingwall (dial code 01349) areas who are interested in taking part in the extended reach trials can register their interest in 'extended reach' broadband through PlusNet by emailing [email protected] with full name, daytime contact details and the telephone number of the line onto which the broadband service would be activated. The number of participants is limited; however there are still spaces available. Those registering their interest will be notified as to whether they have been successful.

"A substantial number of our customers desperately want to subscribe to broadband ADSL, but find themselves in the unhappy position of having failed their preliminary compatibility test, due to line quality or distance. We hope that these trials will lead to a more inclusive coverage of service throughout the UK," said Potesta.

PlusNet's Broadband Home package starts from just £14.99 per month.

http://www.plus.net