BT's trial rollout of next generation 'up to' 40Mbps fibre optic ( FTTC ) broadband technology in Muswell Hill, North London, has been partly halted after residents complained that the large new 1.8m tall junction boxes (cabinets) installed by the operator were "unsightly" and causing an obstruction.


The Times reports that locals appealed to the London Borough of Haringey and managed to block a further rollout, although BT has since clarified that the issue only relates to a small number of cabinets in a "conservation area". Well if they don't want one then we know a street that does *cough* :glee: .

It's interesting to note that BT does not appear to have had planning approval for the installations. The council is now talking to BT in an effort to help find alternative locations. BT is also trying to develop a more compact cabinet design, although that could take several months.

The operator was keen to stress that most of the rollout had been completed and was going according to plan, though it did not say whether it had received similar complaints from residents in Wales. If anybody has a picture of the new cabinet then please send one in via our ‘Contact’ page (send to the ‘Editor’).

UPDATE - 8th August 2009:

It looks like AAISP managed to caputure a picture of the new cabinets:

http://e.gg/7974142