Remote areas still denied broadband (From Western Telegraph)

Remote areas still denied broadband

INTERNET users who live in the most isolated parts of Pembrokeshire are unlikely to get access to broadband for many years.

Despite advances in technology, BT said phone connections which are ten kilometres from a telephone exchange are unable to log on to broadband.

For people like Gar Hayes, who lives at Trecwn, the situation is a huge source of frustration.

He wants to form a broadband action group for Pembrokeshire and is urging others to join. Mr Hayes suggested the problem lies with BT not upgrading cables, but the company denies this.

"It is purely down to technology and the laws of physics. Too much quality is lost once the signal gets too weak,'' said BT spokesman Chris Orum.

He pointed out that when broadband was initially introduced, only residents living within a three-mile radius could benefit.

"This has now been extended to six miles. Technology is developing and we are pushing the boundaries all the time,'' said Mr Orum.

There are very few places in Britain, let alone Pembrokeshire, that are more than six miles from an exchange, he insisted.

He sympathised with Mr Hayes' situation but gave an assurance that evolving technology could eventually solve current discrepancies.

"I am sure we will be discovering ways in the long run of providing people with broadband in outlying areas, possibly through wireless.

"It was only a couple of years ago that customers were offered broadband and look how far we have come in that time. Until that time, however, there will be people living in outlying areas who will be disappointed.''

Anyone who is interested in signing up to Gar Hayes's broadband action group can e-mail him at garhayes@aol.com.