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M1CUK > INFO 12.10.02 04:35l 78 Lines 2937 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 2A2215M1CUK
Read: DB0FHN GUEST
Subj: BTO admits oversight!
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From: M1CUK@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : INFO@WW
BTo admits 'oversight' in Todmorden pre-registration initiative
By Tim Richardson
Posted: 10/10/2002 at 10:29 GMT
BTopenworld has admitted that it has so far failed to process any orders
as part of a demand-led initiative to convert exchanges to DSL.
The broadband pre-registration system was put in place earlier this year
by BT Wholesale to map demand for broadband in areas that are not
currently served by DSL.
The idea is that if enough people commit to buying broadband, BT Wholesale
will convert the exchange to DSL.
Four weeks ago Todmorden in West Yorkshire became the first area to hit
its trigger level. ISPs then had six weeks to convert those registrations
into firm orders.
However, with less than two weeks to go its been revealed that BTopenworld
has failed to process any of its orders - a move which could mean that the
Todmorden exchange is not converted to DSL despite more than registrations
of interest.
One reader, fed up with the way BTopenworld has failed to handle his
enquiries, told us: "We have until the 22nd of Oct to convert 150
pre-registrations to firm orders. I say 'we' because it feels like BT
don't want to take orders.
"I have called BT many times to try to order the service. First few times
I was assured
that BTopenworld would be contacting me.
"Finally after another three phone calls I have just managed to explain
the procedure to BT's call centre that the service is not yet in
Todmorden, that we have hit our threshold and I need to place a firm order
to ensure we get the service," he said.
That was two weeks ago and still BTopenworld has failed to take the order
or respond to his requests.
And this from a company whose CEO claims that broadband is at the heart of
its strategy.
A spokesman for BTopenworld admitted that the ISP's helpdesk "didn't know
what the process is" to take these orders.
He described this as an "oversight".
Instead, he assured us that BTopenworld would start phoning and emailing
those people this week to see if they are still interested in signing up.
"We're confident that we will be able to contact all those people," he
said.
But not everyone shares the optimism and there are real fears that
Todmorden could miss its chance to join the broadband revolution.
A spokesman for BT Wholesale declined to comment on the activities of
individual ISPs. Nor would he say which ISPs were not passing on the
details or how close Todmorden was to reaching its 150 orders.
But he insisted: "Registrations are coming through. We are confident that
Todmorden will reach its target
--------------------------------
73's
Trev, m1cuk@gb7fcr.#16.gbr.eu
SysOp gb7fcr
ax25 - tcp/ip - telnet - axip - RF & Internet Linked System's
Located in Blackpool, Lancashire, On the North West Coast of the UK
Message timed: 00:25 on 11 Oct 02
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