Posted: 16th Oct, 2003 By: MarkJ
One of our readers (no name given [uknoodles]) has sent us two updates from BT regarding the operators mesh broadband wireless trials. The updates specifically refer to progress in Ballingry (Scotland) and Rhymney (Wales). Sadly the news is not all good.
The first simply states that the trial for 'mid-Glamorgan' areas (Rhymney) will not proceed because another broadband option (most likely ADSL) will soon be available:
Interest in broadband services in the mid-Glamorgan area means that BT will soon be able to deliver a broadband service to customers by linking homes and businesses to a BT network via existing telephone lines. Because of this new development it is quite likely that potential customers who have registered for our trial in Rhymney will be able to obtain broadband via this service. As a result, we have decided not to go ahead with our broadband radio trial.
The second, for Ballingry, looks more promising:
Before BT undertakes a trial of a new broadband radio solution anywhere in the UK, comprehensive tests are conducted to ensure a new product can meet the needs and expectations of our potential customers. Our testing of the proposed technology for the trial in Ballingry hasnt fully met our requirements, so we have decided to postpone the use of it for the time being.
We do, however, want to progress a trial in Ballingry, and we are switching to an alternative supplier with whom we have already achieved some very promising results in Porthleven Cornwall. The company is called Alvarion, and their technology is called Point to Multipoint wireless technology. We intend to provide this product to up to 30 customers in Ballingry who have already registered an interest in receiving a broadband service through wireless technology.
We are currently working on a new plan for the trial which will mean a delay of about a month until the beginning of November. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused, but our priority is to deliver a quality service to customers in more remote locations who will not be able to access the benefits of broadband through conventional technology.
If you have already registered with us to participate in the trial we will contact you with further information soon.
Hopefully we can bring you another update as things progress.