News DIY approach urged for rural broadband

From the Beeb:

Rural areas which are missing out on broadband via BT lines need help to create their own networks, say experts.

Getting broadband to rural areas can be a long journey
But people have to be shown why high-speed internet access can make a difference to them, argued community leaders at a major industry conference in London on Wednesday.

A website launching in a couple of weeks called Community Broadband Network aims to help overcome the divide between town and country by offering advice about DIY broadband.

About 80% of the UK can get broadband via phone lines, but it is concentrated in towns and cities.

More here

I'm sorry, but the title just made me think Changing Rooms:

[Linda Barker]
"I made my broadband connection very cheaply out of a couple of old bean cans, a length of damp string and some MDF. I think it's turned out reaaalllly reaaallly wellll....."
[/Linda Barker]

 

lol, carefully placed farmers atop hillocks, shouting in relay "10110100........."

 

I'm in Australia, not the UK, but we have a similar problem (and a zillion times the 'rural' area of the UK). If you live in a city you have cable, ADSL, ISDN, etc etc. If you are classed as living in the country/remote areas you can get discounted satellite (1 or 2-way).

Then there's me - I live in a 'semi-rural' area. I'm too far from an ADSL exchange to get it and not in an area classed to get discounted satellite. Sure, I can get satellite, but satellite is way expensive (for 1-way) and out of reach for 2-way. Not only that but I am like millions of folks who are on a split pair phone line and couldn't get ADSL even if I lived next to an exchange.

Fortunately there is an answer. The gap between rural and urban broadband seems to be filling up with wireless service providers. All you need is near-enough line-of-sight to a repeater station and suddenly you have 2-way broadband many times quicker than ADSL. Maybe that could work in the UK too (or is it already?).

This week a couple of blokes came over and put a directional mast up on my roof and wahey! I'm now glad I don't have ADSL now - I get four to five times ADSL speed for the same price.

I agree that peeps need to experience the difference. Some things need to change in this country though - BB is more expensive here and seems to be restricted to a slower speed unless you pay LOTS more $$. Then there are monthly download limits where you get charged per Mb you go over - range fom 600Mb, 1Gb, 3Gb seem the norm. It's all about profit in the end.

That was my story. Thank you.

 

well done G-gnome finaly off dial up that meens more orac reports right?

 

OT...

I guess that the US version, Trading Spaces, is going to have a few of the designers along with Handy Andy on 2 back-to-back episodes this weekend.

Yea, so I watch Trading Spaces... Wanna make something of it!?