Friday, December 18, 2009
Broadband revolution starts in Basingstoke
A broadband revolution is starting in Basingstoke that will open up a whole new world of online products and services for businesses and residents in the town.
In some parts of the town, the network that connects thousands of homes and businesses to the telephone exchange that serves them is being upgraded to next generation super-fast fibre-based services which will provide better and faster broadband connections.
During this first phase, a total of 78 cabinets are being installed by Openreach, BT’s local access network division, near to the existing green telephone cabinets on the town’s street which will connect more than 27,000 homes and business to the new super-fast service.
Following extensive lobbying by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and eHampshire, an organisation designed to improve broadband delivery in the county, Openreach confirmed this summer that Basingstoke will be one of only two towns in the South East where the first phase of next generation access broadband will be installed.
The initial infrastructure upgrade is expected to be completed in the new year after which internet service providers will need to carry out more work to make new broadband packages available so residents and businesses can reap the benefits of the new super-fast service. So far, BT, Sky and Talk Talk have all signed up to provide new broadband packages and offers to homes and businesses in Basingstoke once the infrastructure upgrade is complete.
The new fibre connections will mean the first phase of homes and businesses in Basingstoke will be able to benefit from download speeds of up to 40 MEGs (with a guaranteed minimum of 15 MEG) and upload speeds of up to 5 MEGs, allowing consumers to:
* Download music tracks in less than 5 seconds
* Game online in HD
* Watch movies and sports events online in HD
* Video conference easily with friends and family
However this is just the first phase and to get better broadband for the rest of the town and borough, the council is encouraging residents to get in touch with them to help lobby for ‘better broadband for Basingstoke.’
Cllr Keith Chapman, the Cabinet Member responsible for information technology and telecommunications, said: “We’ve been working to address 'not spots' - people who cannot get broadband at all. Some of these residents could go straight from 'no performance' to 'high performance'.
“This is a great step forward, thanks to the proactive approach taken by Openreach and eHampshire in working with us to ensure we have the technology essential to supporting our future prosperity. Even so, we’re still aware that residents in some parts of the town struggle to get broadband and we need these people to get in touch so we can demonstrate the demand and continue to lobby to get improved internet services for them too.
“In the future we will also be looking at solutions to help some of our more rural communities to get online.”
Peter Cowen, BT’s South East regional partnership director, said: “This is a fantastic milestone for Basingstoke and the beginning of an exciting journey for the town.
“Basingstoke is really trailblazing for the South East region and leading the way in this communications revolution.
“Broadband has played a vital part in the success story of the region. Businesses are using it to boost their competitiveness and find new customers, whilst households are benefiting from new entertainment and educational opportunities. This fibre to the cabinet roll-out will enhance this and really help Basingstoke grow.”
Will you be one of the first homes or businesses in Basingstoke to get connected to new super-fast broadband? Visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/broadband and log on to the 'postcode checker' tool.
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