| Broadband in 'rural' areas |
| The issue: |
Sir
You will recall that I contacted you recently regarding BT's refusal to connect Kempshott Park to an ADSL enabled exchange.
Since we corresponded, I hav been looking into other possibnilities for providing broadband access to Basingstoke and North Hampshire, some of which may bear fruit in the future.
Unfortunately, despite the government's exhortations on the importance of e-commerce and e-Britain, it appears that telecommunications law has not kept up.
It is possible to set up a simple WT Licence-exempt "Mesh" network on an estate with the co-operation of 10-20 people and at a cost of less than £3000 initially. However, to comply with the requirements of the Telecommunications act, a full telecomms licence must be applied for at a cost of over £15,000.
This is anti-competitive, and enaquitable, and does not sit well with the idea of 'Broadband Britain' that Socialist Blair continues to espouse.
Could a question be asked in the relevant 'Question time' as to how the Prime Minister expects to have this country leading the world when small business cannot even start to supply the services demanded of them without substantial outlay simply for the red-tape.
Should you require further information for this matter, please do not hesitate to call me on 07719 200095.
Sincerely
Paul Cummins |
| Date Issue Raised: |
20 Feb 2003 |
| My response: |
Thank you for the email. I will reply as soon as I can |
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Sir George Young Bt MP: Constituency and Parliamentary Website