Well Done to all! We
made it, Both the Exchanges of Plumpton & Barcombe have now gone well over trigger!
We now have to wait and see! Has anyone any views on WiFi links, or indeed anything
related to our Broadband campaign, please feel free to add in our new campaign
forum! You can still email Ian to
discuss ideas personally or Nick.This forum aims to discuss and develop Broadband for the 01273 villages. Particular in South Chailey, Plumpton, Barcombe, Cooksbridge, East Chiltington & Streat. We also have a live chat room if you wish to discuss matters live on line.
I thought it was a bit slow over the last few days - but for Barcombe to crash through with 59 more registrations than required - what can I say !
Definately down to a big community effort and that is a community that we need to keep supporting
Because we are a rural community it may well be that some who have helped to get this result will find that they are outside the area that is "viable" to Bt
We need to support those people and consider what we can do to ensure that everyone who want's broadband can get it
This may mean co-operation to link them into the network with wireless repeaters etc
We will have to wait for a site survey from BT before we know who may need a bit of extra help
I am looking into this aspect at them moment - the Government have made the 5GHz frequency available for such use at a cost of &1.00 per user - min 50 users - does anyone else have any info ?
Best wishes
Nick
Posted on Jan 7, 2004, 9:09 PM from IP address 193.192.67.46
Re your comments. My feeling is that a lot of us may find problems connecting up! I hope I am wrong. I am on the last pole out of Plumpton exchange. A BT engineer told me that my line is routed the long way round, up to the Plough and back again! Well out of ADSL range! On the same pole others can be routed via Sun Lane to the exchange, the shorter route and within range! I do not know how much truth is in this, but may cause problems for some of us in the future.We may need to create several local WiFi networks.
Does anyone know Bob G in plumpton to try and get him on the forum to really let us know how his trials are going for a local WiFi network to Plumpton and the surrounding villages. He did email me to say the tials were live, but I have heard no more. This could still be interesting! Also there is the group up in Barcombe still trying to get a link operational.
Personally satellite does not interest me. I have the grant but I havent used it! Other views on Satellite broadband may be helpful. My kids say the "ping" makes gaming impossible with satellite???
Posted on Jan 8, 2004, 3:55 PM from IP address 195.92.67.76
In regard to satelite broadband, it has high bandwidth like ADSl but its not suitable for online games because the "ping" is too high.
The ping is the time taken for a packet of information from your computer to get to the server the game is being played on.
The ping is important for online games because for fast paced games (which would be most games) instantaneous reactions are very important. If you have a high ping ( i.e using a modem) then you get whats called "lag" where events displayed on your screen (say an explosion) instead of happening when you see it happen some time before. On a 56k modem this is typically 0.2-0.5 seconds depending on the server and many other factors.
0.2 seconds might not sound alot but in a game where shooting is important its no good shooting at someone who's moving with a ping of 200 (ping is measured in milliseconds) because by the time the info from your computer gets to the server the player won;t be in that postition any more. In short - you miss.
The reason satelite has a high ping is because instead of the signal travelling through wires on earth the signal is bouncing off a satelite etc which lengthens the ping time in comparison to ADSL.
Posted on Jan 8, 2004, 6:48 PM from IP address 195.93.34.8
Hi Ian,
I also looked at satellite broadband last year. I was put off by the problems with setting up Virtual Private Networks to your company/client as all the suppliers I looked at didn't support it. Also the cost wasn't exactly good value.
I'd be very interested in the WiFi approach (having already a wireless network at home) in Plumpton if BT don't update the exchange in the next 6-9 months.
Rob
Posted on Jan 12, 2004, 6:38 PM from IP address 193.132.197.91
Yes, I share the internet over my 11b WiFi Access Point. For some reason my routing over my 11g WiFi Access won't go via my ISDN router. May sort this out soon.
If you mean do I share to other nearby houses, then no as I've only got ISDN at 64Kb.
Posted on Jan 14, 2004, 1:03 PM from IP address 193.132.197.91
Thanks for the posting. We need to keep in touch over this. I have a WiFi link for all our many machines. Kids all come back with their laptops and can just sit in the garden or conservatory and chat on messenger . I call it Sunnycroft.net. Reaches out to our neigbours fine! But we only have an ISDN line so not that fast when there are 6 of us using it!! In the future I would be happy to extend!! Proper mast, leased line..... It may only need a few of us to make it pay??? Feedback very welcomed. Especially if we have to wait 6months and even then many of us may be too far from the exchange!
Posted on Jan 13, 2004, 2:06 PM from IP address 195.92.67.78
I have asked Bob if he can keep us up to date with his trials of the Plumpton WiFi network. He came back to me today with the following email (hopefully he will join this forum to keep us all posted!!)
Hi Ian
We are trialling a link to a couple of subscribers, Mark Brunt and Peter Baker. I have conducted a test at both premises and the link is good for 2mbps up and down. However, we are in the process of revising the subscriber equipment at both sites. We expect to get Peter up today and hopefully Mark as well. These results are encouraging to us and to Langreen, who are meeting on Thursday this week and who have promised us a schedule for roll-out.
We are wholly supportive of Langreen, but in the highly unlikely event of them deciding not to progress the network, we would do so ourselves.
I am also very supportive of your remarkable efforts to push BT into providing ADSL over copper in the village. A WiFi network was intended to provide a service in the event of that not happening soon enough. However, there are some benefits to WiFi (such as speed and coverage, community servers etc) and so I think it could coexist with ADSL as an alternative scheme.
All the best
Bob
Posted on Jan 14, 2004, 1:12 PM from IP address 80.225.3.245
I had a quick email from Peter on Sunday. He said he would keep me upto date although I wasn't aware that things were moving so fast!. The important thing is where Langreen may place their POP.
Just got this from Langreen after registering an interest:-
"Thank you for completing your registration to receive Langreens high-speed wireless Internet access service. To establish service in your area we have a minimum target of 50 subscribers.
Please use the Tell a neighbour or friend email link below to pass on information about Langreen.
I would be interested in pursuing this as I want a permanent and faster connection. The central antenna scenario suggests no daisy chain is required and I believe a couple of people in Plumpton are looking into this but its at an early stage.
Posted on Jan 14, 2004, 1:15 PM from IP address 193.132.197.91
I had a mail from Langreen (20/01/04) saying that a trial is up and running in Plumpton and they only need 10 more subscribers for a viable service. I bet they're worried...
It mentions Peter Baker's involvement. I'll drop him a mail to see how it's going. Has anyone else heard about it?
Gareth
Posted on Jan 22, 2004, 12:25 AM from IP address 195.74.115.220
Latest update as regards Langreens Plumpton project
by
(no login)
Thought I would post this email I just recieved from Peter Baker....
Ian
Thank you for this information on BT. It looks very real and I hope it is.
It will be better for you than wireless if you are where it is difficult to
get line of sight with another house which is on wireless.
Our position is that the lease line coming in to Wells Close has been used
to beam to an small aerial on my roof and one on Mark Brunt's roof on
Station Road. This has been done with Langreen's blessing and some of their
equipment. The next stage planned is for Langreen to beam out to some 15
people around the north end of Plumpton Green. This is planned as a free
one month trial with people who agree to take the service if they find it
satisfactory. It would cost them 24.99 a month plus a once only fee of £200
for the aerial (a small, flat, 9 inch square box on a chimney or eave). As
it says on Langreen's website, they can provide e-mail for £2 per month so
people can save the money they spend on AOL or whoever. 15 people is enough
to make this scheme (just) viable but it is hoped that more would join and
the service would be "meshed" from house to house up and down the
village. As I said before, it is very fast. It is not ADSL but faster: "A"
stands for asymetric and BT is 512 "down" but only half that for "up".
Wireless is double the speed "up". If you know anyone in the centre -
north of the village who would be interested in this, please let me know.
We are proceeding with this plan. Maybe it will all be left standing by BT,
maybe they will co-exist. Time will tell.
Peter
Posted on Feb 4, 2004, 11:17 AM from IP address 62.64.231.116
Hi, Langreen are currently promoting their wireless broadband in my village in Yorks. I'm very tempted but am reluctant to signup to their 24 month minimum term contract (total cost over £600) as they are a new company without a proven track record.
Did the service go ahead as planned in your area and if so would you recommend it / do you have any comments about it?
Posted on Jul 6, 2004, 9:34 PM from IP address 62.53.57.59
Can you email me direct so we can chat . I maybe can help you get your own project underway. We are now running www.sussexnetshare.net and are partners with www.feeed.net Down here Langreen ran away!! Too slow!!! Too expensive!! We have sorted our own meshed network!! I can help you if you wish!! Ian
Posted on Jul 6, 2004, 10:04 PM from IP address 82.152.44.23
Just posted this on the piertopier.net forums in responce to Ian's post, soory its taken so long.
Sounds like what you need is meshap from locustworld! See below for my 5 minute rural broadband how to, feed usees the same measap system we do, everybody does.
QUOTE (has links on our board)
------------------------------------------------------------
Just to give you some pointers I've gained, mostly from the locustworld meshap mailinglist.
The (only?) current system of building large disparate wifi networks is meshap, meshap is a Linux Based mesh networking wifi solution. The software's free, and will run on most wifi hardware. Can be downloaded from locustworld. Its not perfect, its not easy to the get the hang of, but it works.
To get it to work, you need. Some locations (line of sight required) some meshboxes, these can be bought or home made running meshap. Some antenna 12db Omnis from solwise are what everyone I know uses.
These aerials and mesh boxes should talk to each other quite happily a couple of miles more if you careful. Most will server clients with normal wifi cards over very impressive distances as well. The antenna not only transmits strongly but "Hears" better as well. So get a few people together who are prepared to have a mesh box in their loft and an antenna on their roof.
A few people with mesh boxes, can serve loads of people with normal wifi cards, and once the mesh is up and running should one fail, or the box be accidentally unplugged the network will build a route around the hole, and pick up any clients another node can see and carry on regardless.
You also need an internet connection; most ISPs won't let you "Share" your broadband, mean I know. Some will if you get enough people then you can buy a big fast business type connection which you can do what you like with. Many rural meshes are going live with aramiska satellite connections, and seem to be keeping the price down to comparable to the wired providers. Meshap can support multiple connections to the internet, so if you have 3 people with broadband connections you mesh boxes will advatise the connection to the mesh boxes which don't have internet connection and the mesh will send to the nearest one. If you have more than one internet connection and one of them goes down the mesh will just use another one till it re-appears. When buying/selling internet bandwidth can be legal challenging, apparently its better to "give the bandwidth" and sell membership to a "club" - don't ask me why.
I have dealt with Solwise, they supply good gear to many locustworld meshap networks, Locustworld's meshap I can also recommend it rocks. Know nothing personally about aramiska, other than people use them. You've already got some people by the sound of it, join the meshap users list, its full of really great helpful people, get a couple of meshboxes running in your lounge (use any old PC and the CD version off the net for your experiments). I really don't know about rural locations, but for an internet connection talk to moving edge they provide ours!
Tom
Posted on May 6, 2004, 5:55 PM from IP address 81.99.212.59
Feeed Chailey and Lewes to be operational very soon
by
(no login)
Very soon we will be testing out new broadband link covering parts of Chailey and North Lewes. This will be extended as demand requires. Please download our initial publicity which is a powerpoint presentation..http://www.allgardens.net/FeeedMay2004.zip
Have you tried the line test from your phone. I have posted the details in this forum (see Line test & Have you tried..). Its a BT ringback service for engineers. This should tell you the distance from your phone to the exchange. I think its the same test that BT would have done but at least you'll find out why they said you are too far.
Gareth
Posted on Feb 11, 2004, 7:01 PM from IP address 195.74.115.205
My results for distance was good (960m) but it tells me i'm on a "rectified loop". I have no idea what this is and havn't been able to find out, i don't know whether it effect my adsl chances. Allthought the bt broadband checker hasn't said anything.
Does the bt checker just check for distance or does it look at things like TPON aswell?
Posted on Feb 11, 2004, 7:30 PM from IP address 195.93.34.8
Well Instant Broadband has Instant Broadband up and running in Barcombe. One node out of the Post Office. 4 more hopefully in next week. They are trying to get all of Barcombe village covered and down to Barcombe Mills and over towards Chailey???? Next maybe Plumpton.. Uptodate news will be shown on www.01273b.co.uk
If they are slow to move into Chailey I will extend our Sunnycroft.net if you wish as a stop gap measure!! We will have only .5meg but we maybe able to pick up more bandwidth from elsewhere. What do you think???
Ian
Posted on Apr 29, 2004, 1:16 PM from IP address 62.64.236.121
Important info for all who have been told by that they are "too far away" to get Broadband
by Nick (no login)
Anyone that has been told by BT that they are too far from the exchange to receive Broadband, but still wants to get it, should find the following information of use
There is a local Company called Instant Broadband on 01825 750007 who are proposing to link any houses outside the BT Coverage area to the Internet using wireless networking
This may happen in the next few weeks
Installation of a small wireless box on your house costs a one off fee of £55
Broadband access is then charged at £20 per month for a 512kb feed – that’s the same speed as BT “standard” Broadband
You don’t pay BT or any other Internet Provider any further fees
I have spoken to them on several occasions – they are very helpful
Nick
Posted on Apr 12, 2004, 3:32 PM from IP address 172.185.240.109
Well Barcombe has Instant Broadband up and running in Barcombe. One node out of the Post Office. 4 more hopefully in next week. They are trying to get all of Barcombe village covered and down to Barcombe Mills and over towards Chailey???? Next maybe Plumpton.. Uptodate news will be shown on www.01273b.co.uk
Posted on Apr 29, 2004, 1:11 PM from IP address 62.64.236.121
I currently am on ISDN. When RFS date was announced I tried preregistering on the web for Broadband with BT as they advertised that they would buy out the contract, all done for free! I thought ok.... I then a few days later had a lady from BT bell me to say all ok and that they would first get my ISDN put back to analogue. Today an engineer called to do the work. I was very suprised and I said has the exchange already been converted!!!! He said dunno!! I will phone and see!! His superiors then said, not due till May!! I then checked (what I thought was just a standard bill from Bt, that I had recieved this week!) This stated that an engineer was due to call on the 18th to convert my ISDN to a single analogue line for the charge of £40 odd quid!! I phoned up and managed to cancel everything I hope!!They had 4 orders planned for me first to get rid of ISDN, then put me on a single anologue line( I suddenly lose my internet and fax line!!)... then wait a few months, then?????
BEWARE on pre ordering!!!
Been advised now to hold fire on everything until broadband is actually available! Then order transfer and all should be seemless!!
Posted on Feb 18, 2004, 11:26 AM from IP address 195.92.67.75
Hi All
In case you don't know how to get Broadband when it's available from the 26th May - I thought I would start a new thread
Call your Internet provider and ask them how you get it !
I phoned mine today and they said "fine - this is the cost per month - we will arrange the change of line and post the ADSL modem out to you to plug it - simple as that and I keek my current Email address
However a friend who was with another Internet Provider says that when they phoned BT - BT said we will only put the equipment in if you sign up with us for a year - otherwise your ISP can send their own engineer to do the work - I don't know if this is true or not - does anyone have any more info ?
While I was talking to my ISP today I mentioned my concerns that some people might still be too far from the exchange and did they know of a solution
The are forwarding details of a company who would be able to "extend" the broadband network using wireless technology
When I have more info I will post it here
If you are looking for the best "deal" on broadband - I recommend a vistit to ADSL guide at www.adslguide.org.uk
Best wishes
Nick
Posted on Feb 4, 2004, 8:27 PM from IP address 172.188.198.78
We both checked the checker at www.bt.co.uk\broadband\ link and typed in our phone numbers
I got a 2Mb result - he got a 512k result - so the checker is tesing the distance from the exchange to your house
He is about 800 yards from me - so could we consider an extra Broadband line installed at my place and getting a 2Mb link to him and others near him using commercial wireless products - any ideas ?
Best wishes
Nick
Posted on Feb 4, 2004, 11:11 PM from IP address 172.188.37.55
Nick, have you tried the BT line test which I posted under the title "Have you(r) tried this?" on this forum? I'll repeat it here anyway.
"You can test your approximate line length by dialling (on your intended ADSL line) "17070", The response will tell you the number of your circuit. Then enter "3", then "1" (you ARE authorised, aren't you?), then "2". If you then hang up, the test system will call you back and tell you the approximate distance distance from your exchange."
So Bt is actually registering, yesterday early I could only find Eclipse actually taking registrations! By the evening BT had caught up! This caused a few phone calls! From a few they disbelieved that it was going to happen.
A few were fobbed off yesterday! One told on your bike you are 6km away! Others told not available....
This as Nick says needs consideration. Other question is over converting ISDN lines. BT charges I gather unless you go with them, this can be expensive. Has anyone else got any prices from BT to buy them out of their ISDN contract???
At www.01273b.co.uk I will list providers....
Posted on Feb 5, 2004, 9:12 AM from IP address 62.64.212.205
I made several calls today about ISDN conversion. On BT's site it drops out as you try and order! I tried several times! I spoke with BT and they advised to do it over the phone! This costs £70 more!!! Online gives free hardware and conversion! But then suprise surprise BT lady advised me that the best way forward would be to terminate my contract with ISDN go back to analogue and then register on 25th May for Broadband! But how much I said to terminate my contract?? Unsure and then said my years contract was almost up, probably no charge but I would have to wait for someone to phone me back from a back office!Other providers are saying £40-£50 to convert back???
I am still waiting that call back, but I have had calls fom other providers who have told me that it appears Bt are not good at converting ISDN to Broadband. The system is flawed! Their advice so far is for me to drop to the slower analogue speeds for a few weeks...get rid of this expensive ISDN....Then register afresh with Broadband once it is up and running. They have told me not to pre order!!Not until ISDN has been removed...(However this will then give me slower speeds and would lose my fax line!!)
Anyone with any other advice??????
Posted on Feb 5, 2004, 12:05 PM from IP address 62.64.160.178
This has been the situation since ADSL was rolled out. In the early days (before Home Highway) ISDN was even more expensive to intall and remove.
We had ISDN installed because it was the only way to get rid of the DACS box which was in the house when we moved in. That limited our dialup connection to 28.8kbps!! Luckily that was over a year ago so our contract is up and we only have to pay the conversion fee. I'll be sad to see it go because it's nice having 2 lines.
I'll contact the my office ISP and see if they can help.
Gareth
Posted on Feb 5, 2004, 11:18 PM from IP address 195.74.112.54
This has been the situation since ADSL was rolled out. In the early days (before Home Highway) ISDN was even more expensive to intall and remove.
We had ISDN installed because it was the only way to get rid of the DACS box which was in the house when we moved in. That limited our dialup connection to 28.8kbps!! Luckily that was over a year ago so our contract is up and we only have to pay the conversion fee. I'll be sad to see it go because it's nice having 2 lines.
I'll contact the my office ISP and see if they can help.
Gareth
Posted on Feb 5, 2004, 11:18 PM from IP address 195.74.112.54
A few messages I recieved last night....Yes Nick we do need to know what to do next!
by
(no login)
Trying to sort a better forum page with less ads and no sign in. Should be online in a few days, time permitting. Then all will feel free to post their comments, without being pestered by this ad junk!!
I received numerous mail last night..., here I post just a few I can quickly find...
Dear Ian,
Very well done. Nicely co-ordinated effort. I know that 138 subscribers in East Chiltington will be pleased! Sadly we are at the absolute end of the 890 line and could fall foul of the distance limitation from the exchange. However, we look forward hopefully.
Thanks again for your enthusiastic effort for all of us.
Kind regards
John Anderson
................................
great news
Thanks for all your efforts in making it happen.
Paul
..................................
Ian
I am pleased, but is this real? Other villages have had various false
dawns. I phoned BT today and they said they would have to check the whole
list of signatories and then examine the exchange and could give no date.
Where is your information from?
In the meantime we are extending the wireless broadband in Plumpton which
is slightly faster and slightly cheaper than BT. I have been using it for
over 2 weeks now without a hitch.
Peter Baker
...........................................
Many thanks for the email I have put a poster up in the Station at Plumpton.
Isn't it interesting what happens when large groups get together. Again thanks for being the catalyst.
Paul Ramsay
.................................
Ian,
well done. Thanks for your efforts.
Anthony
..................................
Ian
Yes, I'd heard. It's really going to happen then!
I thought we would have to wait until tomorrow (Wed) and I was beginning to feel like a child on Christmas Eve...!
But instead of that I've been checking out the offerings from the various providers as listed by www.adslguide.org.uk since it doesn't feel like counting chickens anymore! I don't know whether you have got any particular provider in mind. Am I right in thinking that the South Chailey campaign was supported by Eclipse Internet? They come out very well on ADSLguide performance rating charts.
At my office in Worthing I use Freedom2Surf. They also score pretty well and I have been pleased with their service. The pricing is reasonable with activation free if you stay with them for a year.
The cheapest provider looks to be Bulldog. Unbelievably a 2Mbps service for only £334 per year.
Alos need to check what punishment we have to suffer from BT to get rid of the ISDN lines.
regards
Gareth
........................
I will believe it when I see it !! Anyway thats my birthday.
Dave
..........................
Posted on Feb 4, 2004, 11:29 AM from IP address 62.64.232.181
Thought I'd be clever and try registering for 500 business
by
(no login)
I know my line will only stand 500, so I tried registering for 500 business at £45 a month as I do have 4 on much of the time! The only reason I am going with BT is that they will buy out my ISDN package!! However they would not accept the registration!! Well I will try again tomorrow!! Unless anyone can suggest a better deal!!
Posted on Feb 3, 2004, 8:24 PM from IP address 80.225.11.222
The CAPANINA project will develop broadband capability from aerial platforms to deliver ..
by
(no login)
Has anyone looked at.....???
European Union
Funded Research
Broadband for All - Research and Development program
The CAPANINA project will develop broadband capability from aerial platforms to deliver cost effective solutions providing a viable alternative to cable and satellite, with the potential to reach rural, urban and travelling users.
Private Area (login required)
Press information:
Dr David Grace on +44 (0) 1904 432396 (email dg@ohm.york.ac.uk)
or Alan Gobbi on +44 (0) 1904 432323 (email alan@yec.york.ac.uk)
19th January 2004
Broadband for All from High Altitude Platforms
York leads international project
An international project aims to make Broadband available to remote rural areas and even to moving trains, thanks to ‘High Altitude Platforms’ (HAPs).
HAPs are airships or solar-powered aircraft which are permanently located in the skies at an altitude of 20 km, above aeroplanes but below satellites.
This solution will be cheaper and more efficient than current technologies.
High Altitude Platforms do not require underground cabling or masts to connect a user - which can be both expensive and inconvenient - to deliver broadband.
HAPs will serve mass markets with high-speed communications – unlike satellites.
The HAPs technology is ideal for rural, suburban and other hard-to-reach areas, including users who are on the move.
"The opportunities offered by HAPs are exciting," said Dr David Grace, the project’s Principal Scientific Officer.
"Demand for fast communication is increasing all over the world, and this technology offers a unique way of delivering broadband inexpensively to people at home, in the office, and on the move."
"The project will deliver broadband connections which are 2,000 times faster than via a traditional modem and 200 times faster than today’s ‘wired’ ADSL broadband."
The University of York leads the project, known as ‘CAPANINA’. Researchers at York will investigate the most effective way to operate wireless communication links via HAPs, including propagation and resource management.
The team will develop HAPs-based systems which can use the spectrum efficiently to reach all areas.
These systems will include steerable antennas which will use the latest digital signal processing.
York Electronics Centre will coordinate the international project and ensure that results from across the world are published and exploited.
The other European and Japanese partners will specialise in various aspects, including the development and construction of equipment for trials, the creation of business models, and free-space optical communications.
These use ‘line of sight’ light beams to communicate at high speedbetween two locations.
The first objective of the CAPANINA project is to deliver broadband connections to rural areas across Europe.
The team hopes to achieve this in the next four years.
Ultimately, the team will look at delivering Broadband to moving trains.
This will involve ‘smart’ antenna systems, which link with access points on the train.
This will give passengers high-speed Internet connections from ‘Wi-Fi’ enabled lap-tops.
Only just managed to have a quick look through. Shame Plumpton not on it yet! Suprised but pleased for Bolney which only triggered on the 15th Jan?? Will we get Plumpton and maybe Barcombe next week???
Posted on Jan 28, 2004, 7:10 PM from IP address 62.64.219.152
Disappointing but there's always next week.
An optimist might draw some encouragement from the fact that BT South East have very few RFS dates in March compared to April or May. Maybe Plumpton or Barcombe could get March too...
Gareth
Posted on Jan 29, 2004, 12:02 AM from IP address 195.74.112.124
Hi All - just got this from the samknows website - looks like Plumpton will get an RFS date on Wednesday 4th Feb - Barcombe may get one then - if not probably the next Wednesday
Best wishes
Nick W.
After the backlash from yesterdays RFS announcement, BT have just stated that next week they will be releasing dates for all exchanges that triggered up until the end of December.
"We will be announcing RFS dates next Tues/Wed for all those exchanges that triggered up to the end of December.
We have also made progress on the on the next batch which will enable us to get back to setting RFS dates within the previous (2-3 weeks) timescales the following week."
Next weeks commitment is good news for the following 49 exchanges in particular...
www.samknows.com is posting an RFS date for Scaynes Hill despite its difficulties. The date is 29/9/04. Let's hope that neither Plumpton nor Barcombe fall into this category.
Gareth
Posted on Jan 12, 2004, 11:08 PM from IP address 195.74.106.236
To tell you the truth i'm starting to get a little worried abot when exactly barcombe will be upgraded. Now, according to bt the upgrade should be finished in 2-4 months but unless anything changes drastically this just isn't going to happen!
For a start the last set of RFS dates went on to late april which is more than 4 months away, just. I personnaly can't see Barcombe being upgraded till well into the summer. Perhaps as late as July.
I'd really like it to be upgraded within the promised period. (on the bt site they even say "within 10 weeks") but by the way things are going it looks like it'll be six months, if we're lucky.
If anyone knows whats going on with this and the likelihood of Barcombe getting upgraded quickly rather than aganoisingly slowly... please let me know!
Posted on Jan 12, 2004, 11:19 PM from IP address 195.93.34.8
Most of those exchanges triggered aroud 10th-14th Dec seemed to get a date in may. But some were as late as December. Hopefully we should know for Plumpton maybe next wed and Barcombe the week after. Or are we expecting too much??
Posted on Jan 21, 2004, 9:46 PM from IP address 62.64.223.87
Certainly did see them. Its encouraging that most of those exchanges had dates in may but i don't recognise many of them (or any) as being from our region.
But i could be wrong on that.
At the moment i still think june is most likely, going on the general trend and seeing as these exchanges triggered about 3 weeks before barcombe did.
The ones given dates in december are the ones that require extensive work and are the exceptions to the rule. Hopefully neither barcombe or plumpton will require this.
I'm just hoping at the moment we get a date in june (or if we're very lucky, may :P) The truth though is that these dates fall short of the 10, 12, 14 week promises set by bt. Which is irritating me.
I think we might see plumpton next week and barcombe the week after,both with dates in june. But thats just me being the eternal optimist. touch wood it'll all go smoothly.
Posted on Jan 21, 2004, 11:36 PM from IP address 195.93.34.8
I have been studying the RFS dates for our region on www.samknows.com/broadband. Every exchange which triggered upto and including 16/12/03 now has an RFS date. Some of these extend out to September (Scaynes Hill!), probably due to issues with the upgrade.
On a chronological list of trigger dates in the South East, Plumpton is 9th and Barcombe 14th. In the list of "normal" RFS dates the last big block is the week of 5/5/04 at a rate of roughly 5 exchanges per week.
All things being equal we should expect RFS dates in May or early June to be released in the next 2-3 weeks.
Fingers crossed...
Gareth
Posted on Jan 22, 2004, 12:13 AM from IP address 195.74.115.220
I too had a good check through the info and it appears as you say! Most of the exchanges triggered up to 16th December now have a RFS date... We can only hope!! I also want to look into distances fron the exchange to connect. I have heard various stories. Will some of us not be able to sign up when it comes on line.Any ideas???
Posted on Jan 22, 2004, 11:13 AM from IP address 62.64.224.231
There ia a BT line test function, maybe it will reveal something?
"You can test your approximate line length by dialling (on your intended ADSL line) "17070", The response will tell you the number of your circuit. Then enter "3", then "1" (you ARE authorised, aren't you?), then "2". If you then hang up, the test system will call you back and tell you the approximate distance distance from your exchange."
This forum was only started at about 10.50 on wed 7th Jan, The day after Barcombe went over trigger! Well Done to all!! Please post any ideas, suggestions, comments etc here!
Ian (01273 890747)
Posted on Jan 7, 2004, 10:59 AM from IP address 62.64.161.219
I just received this piece of information! Using laptops in Brighton pubs...
by
(no login)
Access Broadband Internet For Free At Three City-centre Pubs
Brighton-based pub operator wants you to work in the pub
However, this is not an appeal for would-be bar staff. Now anyone with a wireless enabled laptop or PDA can access broadband internet FOR FREE at three city-centre pubs operated by Brighton pub group - Zelgrain. Spokesperson, Gavin George thinks providing this service in a pub is another step towards the re-invention of the "public house" and the redefinition of its place in our lives.
“Pubs are great places to eat and drink” comments George “ but Zelgrain has always been aware of their importance as places for the generation and communication of ideas as well. Pubs are cultural centres and have important community functions. And with the introduction of wireless connectivity they are potentially centres of commerce too. All you have to do is turn up with your wireless enabled laptop or PDA, turn on and log on for free. One small start-up company I know are already taking advantage of the wireless connectivity in a pub of ours by using it as an office within which to meet and work.”
“The way people work and how they use their time off is changing. In 50 years offices might be defunct and people might choose to do their work in a pub-type environment rather than be isolated at home.”
What?! A world where excruciatingly dull office politics no longer exists? No sad group re-enactment of last night's crap telly? Thank goodness! In the meantime, the service isn't just for the industrious. Those seeking less taxing reasons for internet access are also encouraged to partake of a tasty beverage and trawl at the following pubs:
· Black Lion, 14 Black Lion St, Brighton, BN1 1ND. Tel: 01273 711884
· Grand Central, 29-30 Surrey St, Brighton, BN1 3PA. Tel: 01273 329086
· Riki Tik, 18a Bond St, Brighton, BN1 2RD. Tel: 01273 683844
.... I must add also you can use your laptop up at Devils Dyke!
Posted on Jan 7, 2004, 12:38 PM from IP address 62.64.220.171
Hi All
I checked the figures this morning - Barcombe is now at 358 !
For those that are not aware - when BT set the 2,300 trigger levels they did not individually check each exchange - of all the exchanges that have triggered 27 have not had service dates allocated because they need extensive re-cabling - one of these is Scaynes Hill
Service date should be 12-14 weeks from Trigger and will depend on several factors - one factor will be the amount of work required -at the exchange so let's hope we are not in the same position as Scaynes Hill
Well done to you Ian.
The next step I understand is for bT to check the validity of all the signups. But perhaps they have done that.
Did you have an enquiry from offgas or somebody as to whether the village should have the Gas line extended.
I did and I said yes please.
Perhaps we should do something about that too.
Dave
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - - - - - -
'Probable impossibilities are to be preferred to improbable possibilities.'
Aristotle
Posted on Jan 7, 2004, 1:27 PM from IP address 195.92.67.77
Dear Dave,
A couple of other people have spoken about Offgas recently. Personally I am on propane, but would be happy to change to Natural Gas if it became possible. We have the vehicle in place now if you have the energy. Let us see what ideas others have!! I will go along with you on this, Ian.
Posted on Jan 7, 2004, 1:46 PM from IP address 195.92.67.71
I think that we should offer support, if required, to the Road Safety campaign that is running after Jim's daughter got run over at the end of Mill lane in December on her way home from school
That section of the A275 together with the stretch around the South Chailey Village shop is a disaster waiting to happen
Best wishes
Nick
Posted on Jan 7, 2004, 10:14 PM from IP address 193.192.66.38
I don't think BT respond to pressure at this level. The release of 2300 trigger points must have been in response to criticism from Oftel and the growing interest in non-BT solutions from which they get no revenue! Just imagine 2300 WiFi networks up and down the country offering "free" local community phone calls using VoIP phones...
But keeping the registrations coming in should help
Posted on Jan 7, 2004, 7:58 PM from IP address 195.74.115.162
Congratulations - we've done it! I can't say how much I'd like to thank
you for what you've done: we wouldn't be past 200 if you'd not grabbed
the bull by the horns.
Now, I guess, it's up to BT to tell us that we're too far from the
exchange!
The drinks are on me next time we meet.
Once again, many thanks.
All the best,
Glenn
Posted on Jan 7, 2004, 1:33 PM from IP address 195.92.67.75
We have gathered a happy band in our local communities in supporting this campaign. I don't know how many of us have any experience of using broadband and, more importantly, "always on" internet connections, but it seems to me that many of the people who have contacted us (via leaflet particularly) will need some support to take the next step when the service is available.
For instance, I retained my returned forms until after the trigger point was reached and emailed all of them to see if they would like me to keep them in touch - only one reply but, that's one person at least who might need some extra support?
Is anyone interested in taking up the challenge of offering informal support?
Gareth
Posted on Jan 7, 2004, 8:13 PM from IP address 195.74.115.162
Hi Gareth
I think that that is the least that we can do - let's see how it goes and perhaps offer to run some "classes" at the pub or village hall if a demand is shown here
We need to let people know that this site is up and running
Best wishes
Nick
Posted on Jan 7, 2004, 9:13 PM from IP address 193.192.67.46
