Rural communities are once again being let down by BT according to Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates, who has recently learnt that only communities with over 1,000 premises are eligible to enter the BT ‘Race to Infinity’.
The BT ‘Race to Infinity’ competition seeks to identify the local demand for super-fast broadband across the UK, with five winning areas being upgraded by 2012. BT also pledges to engage with communities with over a 75% voter turnout to explore all possibility of bringing fibre broadband to the area. Only communities with over 1,000 premises are eligible to enter.
Commenting, Mr Bates said:
“I am deeply disappointed that already one community in Powys has been refused entry to the BT ‘Race to Infinity’ – their exchange is not eligible to enter as it has fewer than 1,000 premises. Many residents and businesses will see this competition as yet another empty pronouncement of support as rural areas are once again being left out from a really great opportunity.
“Every community, small or large, urban or rural, warrants a basic broadband facility. This competition ignited hope that the many rural communities in my constituency with little or no broadband may be given the support they desperately need to get a decent broadband service – but yet again they are being left out.
“I have written to the Director for BT Wales, asking for explanation of why small communities are being left out from this competition. I know many communities that could really benefit from having BT engage with them to look at the best way to bring fibre broadband to the area and I really hope that the scheme can be revised, so that many residents and businesses are not excluded simply because of their postcode.”
