BT sets trigger level for 200 more exchanges

BT today revealed today the levels of broadband demand required to upgrade a further 200 exchanges (PDF list), setting the framework to bring ADSL broadband within reach of 85 per cent of UK homes and businesses.

Cost drives and technical changes, including linking exchanges to share "backhaul" connections to BT's core network, have brought down costs at these exchanges, now making it possible to set lower demand trigger levels.

BT plans to publish trigger levels for a further 400 exchanges this summer, as part of its "demand-led approach" to rolling out broadband.

The monster telco today officially launched a Web site designed to bolster grass-roots broadband campaigns.

The site provides advice on starting a campaign, a list of areas with current campaigns and web site details (if applicable). It also features quotes and experiences of campaigners and an order form for tailored campaign leaflets and posters. BT describes this as an online 'campaign in a box' toolkit.

The site comes in recognition of by BT Wholesale of the impact local campaigners can have in developing awareness and stimulating demand, through its broadband registration scheme.

BT Wholesale's broadband marketing team has provided campaign groups with leaflets, tailored to local areas, which encourage people to demonstrate their interest by signing up with ISPs. These registrations then count against BT's demand targets for upgrading local exchanges to ADSL.

The campaign support team at BT Wholesale has also set up e-mail contacts to provide individual advice and support and free telephone campaign advice line.

Although only announced today, the site went live last week. Since then BT has received 300 emails from would-be campaigners, a spokesman told us this afternoon.

Philippa Winterburn, BT Wholesale's head of broadband marketing, said: "The key to successful local broadband awareness campaigns has been the energy and drive of the individuals who can see what broadband will mean for them and their communities.

"Their enthusiasm is infectious and highly effective at a local level. This web site provides them with an online 'campaign in a box' toolkit to build a strong campaign, which will help speed up the arrival of broadband in their area.

"The announcement of more trigger levels today, and more to come, should prove an added spur to towns and villages keen to join the broadband revolution," she added

So far more than 360,000 people have used the broadband registration scheme to log their demand for broadband where not yet available. As a result 307 exchanges have hit their demand triggers of which 59 exchanges are live for broadband and the others are currently being upgraded. ®

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