More towns and villages to get broadband by the summer

NEWS Homes and businesses in 27 new locations across the UK will be able to join the broadband revolution this summer as BT continues expanding its ADSL network, the company has promised. On Tuesday the telco released details of the latest local exchanges to pass their trigger levels and be added to its rollout programme. In each case, enough people have expressed interest in getting broadband to persuade BT that it is commercially viable to upgrade the exchange. Eight of the exchanges are timetabled to be upgraded by 28 May. Fourteen more are scheduled for 4 June, and the remaining five should also be "ready for service" before the end of June. The list of lucky locations includes Rhos-on-Sea. It had initially been given a trigger level of 750 pre-registered orders, which some claimed was unreasonably high given the number of people actually living in the area. In January, BT cut many of its trigger levels - including that of Rhos-on-Sea, which fell to 350 - a decision which gave a boost to the many local campaigns around the UK that are encouraging people to show their interest in broadband via BT's registration scheme. A total of 214 exchanges have now been added to BT's ADSL rollout programme, thanks to this registration scheme. Of these, 25 are already live and 189 are in the process of being upgraded. Here are the full details from BT: Ready for service on 28 May Blythe Bridge, Staffs; Breadsall, Derbys; Diss, Norfolk; Frinton-on-Sea, Essex; Hednesford, Staffs; Lark Lane, Merseyside; Rockferry, Merseyside. Ready for service on 4 June Clandon,Surrey; Clydach, West Glamorgan; Cotgrave, Notts; Cupar Crossgates; Daubhill, Greater Manchester; South Queensfery, Edinburgh; Hoylake, Merseyside; Iver, Bucks; Padiham, Lancs; Penkridge, Staffs; Ribbleton, Lancs; Rye, East Sussex; Whittlesey, Cambs; Wombwell, South Yorks. Ready for service on 11 June Draycott, Derbyshire; Pontadawe, West Glamorgan. Ready for service on 18 June Pontadulais, West Glamorgan. Ready for service on 25 June Rhos on Sea, Clwyd; Brixham, Devon. Graeme Wearden writes for ZDNet UK