NEWS
Despite popularised images of a traditional society more used to whippets than wi-fi, Yorkshire has hit the coveted milestone of 100 per cent broadband availability.
The final exchange to be broadband-enabled in the region was at Ramsgill Dale in the county of North Yorkshire. The conversion opens up the option of broadband internet access to 4,000 households and around 800 businesses in the area.
Yorkshire, which includes large metropolitan areas such as Leeds and Sheffield, as well as hundreds of rural communities is now only the third region in the country to enjoy 100 per cent broadband access, according to a spokesman from regional development organisation Yorkshire Forward, who provided cash to open up 24 exchanges deemed uneconomical to convert by BT.
Yorkshire follows London and Northern Ireland into the illustrious 100 per cent club.
However, Jim Farmery, head of technology infrastructure at Yorkshire Forward, said although the 100 per cent milestone is a great source of pride for the region too few business and homes are taking up the opportunities afforded by high-speed web access.
Farmery said: "This is a very proud moment for everyone involved. Geography is no longer a barrier to progress for any firm in our region.
"But whilst I am obviously delighted that we have reached this stage, I am equally determined that as many firms as possible take advantage of the opportunity that broadband presents."
Farmery added: "Although our region is one the few with 100 per cent broadband access, we also have one of the lowest take-up rates in the UK. This needs to be improved and, over the next few months, we will be doing everything we can to make it happen."
The news follows findings released yesterday which found the UK is now leading Europe in broadband adoption.
Comments
There are 4 comments. Join the discussion
1. Nigel Hawthorn
Lies, damn lies and statistics. Sadly, it seems that Silicon have been caught out.
Upgrading 100% of exchanges does not mean that 100% of buildings can get broadband, as distance from the exchange often means that broadband is not available.
Hopefully you'll get better stats from BT and others about "real broadband coverage" one day and not the part-story of exchange upgrades.
2. Richard A
What a load of Eck'Eee Thump!
My sister would be delighted to know she can get broadband where she is as she's fed up of waiting for it to arrive.
I'd mail her this story right away, only she's having trouble with her dial-up and they cant get broadband up where she is...
3. Stuart Charman
I can back up both the comments here. I live in North Yorks and after 2 months of repeat visits from BT Engineers was told that I can't receive broadband at home. Very frustrating indeed as I need to work from home running a website and dial-up - whilst excellent for modelling the website experience that low-bandwidth users receive - is terrible for running the site as a whole.
It seems I'll have to wait for the BT's 21st Century Network before getting upgraded but who knows how long that'll be?
S
4. Paul Beard
I'm in the same situation. I'm in West Yorks and around 7-8 Km from the nearest exchange, but the line to my property is 11Km! Surprise, surprise I can't get broadband either, even though I live 10 miles or so from 4 major cities - Wakefield, Huddersfield, Barnsley & Sheffield.
How can we raise this issue of enabled exchanges doesn't equal enabled homes & businesses?