Broadband blues

Firstly, it is misleading. Saying "virtually all homes in North Yorkshire will be covered" is not true.

It implies that if the exchange is upgraded then the all those homes on that exchange can get broadband. In fact, if you live, as I do, more than three kilometres from the exchange forget it. There is a technological limit on the distance from the exchange which, once exceeded, means broadband will notwork. If your phone line is aluminium instead of copper also forget it.

The geography of North Yorkshire means a significant number of homes are more than three kilometres from their nearest exchange and will not get broadband even when the exchange is upgraded.

On your map the Easingwold exchange is shown covering the whole of its area whereas, in fact, it would only cover about half of it. That is just my example - it will apply to all exchanges.

Secondly, a wireless broadband service, Langreen (www.langreen.com), has just set up in the area. They are taking BT customers hand over fist because of the above reasons.

I live in Raskelf and I'm desperately trying to get broadband. BT cannot provide it and will not unless the technology changes.

Raskelf is not covered by Langreen and will not be until they have 15 interested customers. I am in the middle of persuading residents of Raskelf to go with Langreen. Your article will probably scupper my attempts or at least make it much more difficult.

Consequently, the residents of Raskelf will continue not to be part of the broadband revolution.

Peter Sigsworth,

Raskelf, York.

...I LIVE in Terrington, which is covered by BT's Coneysthorpe exchange. I have been trying to get information about broadband at Coneysthorpe for more than two years.

For a long time there was no information available. More recently, BT's information told me that, even when Coneysthorpe is converted, Terrington is more than six kilometres from the exchange, so broadband will never be available here.

This has caused despondency in everyone I have spoken to about it in the area. Now BT's web site is giving information about their scheme called Exchange Activate, talking about service providers and sponsors for remote rural areas.

When you talk about "boosting coverage from 78 per cent to 99 per cent", does this include Terrington and places in a similar position, or does it include Terrington after going through the performance of finding sponsors, service providers, etc?

I can understand why more densely populated areas are connected first.

Is there not a case for cross-subsidising the cost of connecting more remote areas from the revenues gained from more profitable existing connections?

If the same attitude prevailed in the past would we now have telephones, electricity, water, or even roads in Terrington today?

ND Hill,

The Mount House,

Terrington, York.

Updated: 10:23 Tuesday, May 11, 2004