To assess local demand for fibre broadband the Isle of Wight can not only compete in a unique “race” for super-fast broadband but be in with a chance of winning £5,000 of computer equipment for a local community project.
The five areas with the largest percentage of votes in the UK by December 31st 2010 will win the chance to bring superfast broadband to their area. BT will also donate £5,000 of computer equipment to a local community project.
Households and businesses will be able to demonstrate local demand for super-fast fibre broadband by taking part in a nationwide BT survey, run as a competition called the Race to Infinity. The winning areas will be upgraded by early 2012 at the latest.
The race – which runs until December 31st 2010 at www.bt.com/racetoinfinity – will map demand for fibre broadband across the UK, helping BT identify “hot spots” where demand is high. The data will be used to influence the company’s future deployment plans.
BT will upgrade the five exchanges with the highest demand 1 by early 2012 at the latest. The company is also pledging to engage with any community not winning the competition where at least 75 per cent of homes and businesses have voted for super-fast broadband. All possibilities of bringing fibre broadband to the area will be explored.
BT will have made super-fast broadband available to 4 million premises by the end of 2010, but it will still have more than 12 million further premises to reach as part of its plan to deliver fibre broadband to two thirds of the UK by 2015. By taking part in the survey, communities will have the opportunity to make their voices heard as the company decides where else to deploy the technology.
John Weaver, BT’s South East regional director, said: “This is a golden opportunity for people in the Hampshire to demonstrate the level of demand for fibre broadband in their communities.
“This data will help determine where fibre broadband will be deployed over the next few years so it’s vital for the county that residents take the time to complete this survey and help keep the South East at the forefront of the broadband revolution.”
Participants can vote for fibre broadband on the Race to Infinity website, which will show the number and percentage of votes received for each exchange. The site will display the top five exchanges leading the race as exchanges hit 1,000 votes.
The website also offers downloadable information packs, flyers and posters for people who want to become active super-fast broadband campaigners. The communities having the most success with campaigns could qualify for BT support with stickers, badges, a digital camera or money towards a local radio promotion.
The BT roll-out of super-fast broadband is one of the most ambitious fibre programmes in the world not reliant on public sector support. But support will be needed for exchanges in the “final third” of the UK where deploying fibre is commercially non-viable.
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