Broadband for Strathspey - News and live registration data.
News Archive
Aviemore RFS date confirmed - 28.09.2004
After the last minute delays at Nethybridge and Newtonmore, it is welcome that BT Scotland has confirmed the Aviemore RFS date of 6.10.2004 should be achieved. There are also plans for a media event for the exchange being ADSL enabled, including local MP David Stewart.
New ADSL line limits come into effect - 6.09.2004
Today BT Wholesale have removed the signal strength limit on 512k ADSL and 1Mb reach is now extended to 6km from the exchange. You can check your line with the line checker link at the top of the page. Most people on an enabled exchange should now be able to get at least the 512k service. For very low signals an engineer visit may be required.
Nethybridge delayed until 26 January 2005 - 1.09.2004
On the day that Nethybridge should of been enabled, it has been delayed by almost five months due to cabling issues. See Broadband Resource article.
Newtonmore enabled - 25.08.2004
Today Newtonmore was enabled.
ADSL working in Carrbridge - 22.08.2004
I can confirm that my ADSL connection with Bulldog is up and running.
512k & 1Mb ADSL reach extended - 18.08.2004
BT Wholesale will remove the signal strength limit from 6 September 2004 on 512k ADSL and the 1Mb reach will be extended to 6km. This should allow many more in our area who are further away from their exchange to receive ADSL. See BT press release or ADSL Guide.
Aberlour & Carrbridge enabled - 11.08.2004
Today Aberlour and Carrbridge were enabled. I am awaiting my line in Carrbridge to be enabled with Bulldog on 21st August.
Dufftown enabled - 4.08.2004
Today Dufftown exchange becomes ADSL enabled and due to the delays at Newtonmore is the first exchange in our area to be enabled under the now defunct BT trigger scheme. Aberlour and Carrbridge are due to be enabled next week.
Smile Broadband cuts satellite prices - 22.07.2004
Their Astra 28.2E satellite 256Kbps service is now £18 per month including VAT and £28 for 512Kbps. Details on Smile Broadband site. For those in areas beyond the reach of your local exchange or don't wish to wait for the local exchange to be enabled, satellite is the only currently available alternative. Satellite has two main disadvantages. Less expensive systems are only 'one way' with upload via your dial-up connection and down load via satellite. However faster download is generally more important than upload. The second disadvantage is the increased latency due to the distance the signal travels via the satellite.
Newtonmore delayed at last minute - 14.07.2004
On the day Newtonmore exchange should of been enabled, BT announced that due to a last minute cabling problem the exchange RFS date has been delayed 42 days to
Which ISP? - 7.07.2004 (Updated 8.10.2004)
Now that ADSL is about to arrive for many more in Strathspey it is time to select an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Recently ISP's have launched a wide range of packages with differing speeds, download limits (capped) or uncapped, varying contention ratios (lower is better), extras (email, anti virus and spam filters, personal web space, etc). The package best suited to your need will depend on your requirements so it is impossible to say overall which is the best. You should also consider the length of the contract, set-up fee and support costs (e.g. local rate or premium rate?). Also check ISP Review or Broadband Help or net 4 nowt to check on customer service. One of the larger ISP's is renowned for poor customer service. (Just see ISP Review). I am not going to recommend any single ISP but here is a short list of some which appear to consistently receive good reviews. If you are happy with your existing dial-up ISP then you may wish to stay with them and not have the hassle of changing your email address. If using for business or home working you may require a business package. Check terms and conditions as they do vary.
Bulldog - Uncapped 'AllTime 500' no frills service at £19.99 (free month or modem offer). Email costs £2.99 extra.
Eclipse Internet - Uncapped products with flexible speeds starting at £17.99 for 256Kb service.
Demon Internet - Long established. Comprehensive packages from £19.99 per month 512Kb service.
Nildram - Offer 'Pay-as-you-go' with choice of 1Gb data or 50 hours for £15.99 per month, then charge up to max fee of £26.66 for month.
If you plan to change ISP regularly you may wish to buy a domain and use this for your email so keeping your email independent of your ISP. Many hosting companies offer domains with email for under £20 a year. Two hosting companies that I use include EasySpace and 1stEasy (or use my 1stEasy referral link at foot of page).
Strathspey broadband rollout about to gather steam - 7.07.2004
After years of waiting, broadband is finally about to become available to many more in Strathspey. Until now only Grantown On Spey (due to a grant) had ADSL in our area. Next week Newtonmore will be enabled, closely followed by Dufftown, Aberlour and Carrbridge. A further five exchanges before the end of the year, and three more in the first half of 2005. If you have any interesting experiences with broadband in the Strathspey area or innovative uses please let us know.
BT issue planned exchange rollout list for October 2004 - July 2005 - 30.06.2004
1,045 new RFS date have been issued by BT but unfortunately none have been issued for the Badenoch or Strathspey area. The BT press release states "BT is not forgetting these small numbers of communities who are still to be told when they will receive broadband. These communities are served by the very smallest exchanges and BT is working hard to find solutions for them. These solutions depend on the support of external partners and so BT will continue to seek to work in partnership with public sector and other organisations. Possible solutions include wireless and satellite broadband as well as BT's Exchange Activate product." For more info see The Broadband Resource story and details.
Ready for service date for Boat of Garten and Carron improved again - 30.06.2004
The RFS date for Boat of Garten has been improved by over three months from 31/08/2005 to 25/05/05.
The RFS date for Carron has been improved by over six months from 31/08/2005 to 16/02/05.
Broadband for all Scotland - 1.06.2004
From the Scottish Executive press release.
Ready for service date set for Carron and Boat of Garten date improved - 27.05.2004
RFS date for Carron is
Aviemore to host Access to Broadband Campaign - 25.05.2004 (Updated - 16.07.2004)
The Access to Broadband Campaign is to hold it's conference in Aviemore 2nd and 3rd November. Hopefully this will help highlight to BT the large number of local exchanges which are seen as 'unviable'. See their conference page for more details and registration info.
Ready for service dates set for Glenlivet - 14.05.2004
RFS date for Glenlivet is
Aviemore ready for service date brought forward a week - 5.05.2004
Aviemore RFS date of 13/10/2004 has been revised to 06/10/2004.
Ready for service dates set for Braemar and Rothes - 28.04.2004
RFS dates are Braemar 27/03/05 and Rothes 24/11/04.
BT scraps registration scheme - 27.04.2004
BT have scraped the pre-registration scheme today, a day after our last exchange triggered. Exchanges which have reached 90% will effectively be triggered. The pre-registration scheme is to be replaced with a pre-ordering system for exchanges that had triggers. This will new scheme will start from the end of June. For fuller details see article BT says goodnight to preregistration scheme on The Broadband Resource or BT press release which includes statement that "Together with our plans to extend the reach of broadband from a local exchange, this takes us significantly closer to universal availability." Less clear are the plans for the smaller exchanges (which we have ten). BT state "Today's announcement will deliver broadband to every exchange in the UK except for the very smallest which between them account for less than 100,000 premises. BT will continue to seek to work in partnership with public sector and other organisations to find suitable ways of delivering broadband to these exchanges. BT has developed or is developing several products that are suitable including wireless and satellite broadband as well as the Exchange Activate community broadband solution."
Glenlivet triggers - 26.04.2004
Glenlivet, the last exchange with a trigger that we were tracking, today reached it's 100 trigger.
Braemar triggers - 14.04.2004
Braemar reached it's 100 trigger today. Only Glenlivet now remains to trigger.
Ready for service dates set for Aberlour, Boat of Garten, Carrbridge and Kingussie - 8.04.2004
RFS dates are Aberlour 11/08/2004, Boat Of Garten 27/10/2005, Carrbridge 11/08/2004, and Kingussie 27/10/2004. Long wait for Boat of Garten, but note RFS dates over 150 days are provisional and can be revised to an earlier date.
Action required for exchanges without triggers - 7.04.2004
With only two exchanges in the area still to trigger, more needs to be done for exchanges without triggers. Dulnain Bridge and Kincraig are the most obvious candidates for having a trigger set.
Rothes triggers - 7.04.2004
Rothes has today reached it's trigger of 150.
Ready for service date set for Dufftown - 1.04.2004
Dufftown RFS date is 04/08/2004.
Ready for service date set for Aviemore - 31.03.2004
Aviemore has been given a RFS date of 13/10/2004. Despite reaching it's trigger, Aviemore is being enabled due to a subsidy from Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Carron triggers - 31.03.2004
Carron has reached it's trigger of 100.
Ready for service date set for Newtonmore - 18.03.2004
Newtonmore RFS date has been set for 14/07/2004.
Dalwhinnie gets first registration - 2.03.2004
Finally Dalwhinnie has a registration, the 15th from last exchange in the UK to take a registration.
Nethy Bridge gets a date for broadband -
The Strathspey and Badenoch Herald 12.02.2004
Nethybridge will be connected to broadband at the start of September - becoming only the second village in Badenoch and Strathspey to gain the new technology.
Ready for service date set for Nethybridge - 21.01.2004
Nethybridge RFS date has been set for 1/9/2004.
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© 2005 - Roy Brown