News story

20th June 2003

MP backs broadband initiative in northavon

Northavon MP Steve Webb today backed a new BT initiative to raise awareness of the "huge benefits" of high speed broadband communications.

Two communities in the Northavon constituency - Winterbourne and Pilning - are among 25 across the UK involved in a BT trial called "Get On and Get It." Residents will be able to make use of a new and wider range of free broadband information and promotional material, such as posters, leaflets, stickers, street banners - and even designs for greyhound coats.

A key feature of 'Get On and Get It' is the opportunity for local campaigners to adapt the promotional material to carry the name of their area and the campaign group website.

"I am delighted that Winterbourne and Pilning are being included in the trial to improve support for local campaign groups," said Professor Webb at the BT exchange in Hillcrest Lane, Thornbury today. Thornbury is due to go live with broadband on September 3.
"This will undoubtedly provide a further boost to both communities' campaigns to raise awareness of the huge benefits of broadband.

"It is absolutely vital that people and organisations who would benefit from this technology register their interest through BT's Broadband Registration Scheme as soon as possible.

“Broadband will play a key role in the future prosperity of the Northavon constituency. Businesses can use the technology to become more competitive, whilst individuals benefit from improved study and entertainment opportunities. For these reasons, I am determined to raise awareness and to encourage people to register their interest in broadband."

Winterbourne and Pilning are now well on their way to generating enough customer demand to allow a major investment in high speed broadband to go ahead through BT's Broadband Registration Scheme.

The scheme harnesses the commitment of local people by allowing businesses and households in areas not served by ADSL broadband to log an interest in ordering the service. A BT exchange is enabled for broadband once sufficient registrations of interest have been received from customers. Winterbourne has 255 registrations towards a broadband target of 300, whilst Pilning has 257 registrations towards a trigger level of 350.

A number of other communities in the constituency are already either offering high speed broadband or, like Thornbury, will be doing so in the next few months. Chipping Sodbury and Almondsbury are providing broadband services and Abson has recently achieved its trigger level of 350 registrations. A go live date for Abson will be announced within two weeks.

The high speed and high capacity of broadband technology eliminates frustrating delays while large files and graphics download. It is "always-on" and the fixed monthly charges mean users no longer worry about running-up charges on-line. Phone calls can also be made over the same line at the same time.

Businesses and households wishing to register an interest in ordering ADSL broadband should do so by contacting their internet service provider. Further information about BT’s registration scheme is available at www.bt.com/broadband.

Robin Seaman, BT's head of public policy, who met Professor Webb at Thornbury today, said: "The Get On and Get It campaign is all about being local and loud. It will make an important contribution to the work being carried out by local groups campaigning for broadband. Local pressure has long been recognised as highly effective. Many of us have been made to think again by well-placed messages through doors and in the local press.  Broadband is very much at the heart of BT. We are determined to make it available wherever it is commercially viable to do so through innovative use of technology, regional partnership initiatives and working with local communities to raise awareness."