BT Openreach Criticised as Rural Communities suffer slow, or no Broadband
BT Openreach Criticised over inadequate Broadband delivery. BBC News Look East program interviewed a company setting up and operating Super Fast Broadband. It considered 160 villages across Essex and Suffolk, as an alternative to using BT Openreach. There is a big rural gap in the market for Broadband connection, to serve areas not connected by BT Openreach
Wireless approach provides rural villages with High Speed Superfast Broadband
BT Openreach Criticised for Failing to Deliver Broadband to rural communities and not doing enough for it’s customers. The independent company featured in the BBC report use a very different technology – not using what’s referred to as ‘The Last Mile’ or ‘Copper Network’.
This alternative network is wireless so it isn’t affected by the same issues surrounding civil work required for burying laying cable and ducting. In the report, a church was used as one of the bases for a transmitter. Churches are often situated on high ground with a clear line of site so I’m sure make very good places indeed for antennas.
Superfast Rural Broadband
Each village has 4 or 5 transmitter points. Each of these points also have multiple transmitters. A village can have between 20 and 25 transmitters to aid Broadband coverage.
The church houses one of many dedicated networks built for villages that want it. Services from small companies like this are growing in demand. The report backed by cross-party MPs, concluded that BT be forced to sell it’s Openreach service because of poor performance.
Broadband in Rural Location
One business owner commented on the attitude of BT. He claims that BT blames customers for choosing to live in a rural environment and there are many things you do not get in rural areas. One of these is adequate Broadband coverage therefore residential and business customers should accept that.
Finally, this customer now has Superfast Broadband. It is based on the wireless technology which is proving a viable alternative for customers in rural locations. BT Openreach Criticised for Failing to Deliver Broadband to rural communities will hopefully do more now that they are in the media spotlight for the wrong reasons.
