[Gllug] Broadband options

[Chris Bell]

Hello,
   Can someone please clear some of the fog from the BT.com website, or
suggest a suitable website for reference. There appears to be a deliberate
clouding of the view. On offer are "Total Broadband", "Fibre connected"
broadband, up to 20Mbps, up to 40Mbps, BT Infinity, etc.
  
   A small business area that I know has complained for a very long time
about the current data rate, over a mile from the local exchange. Some
businesses have enquired about fibre and have been quoted 5000.00 pounds for
installation, but without any explanation, (fibre to the cabinet, fibre to
the building, or likely speed). I went past the area last weekend and saw
three BT vans lined up and a group of BT riggers pulling a new fibre through
the ducts. I asked whether they were running fibre to the cabinet and was
told no, this is for another building further along the road, fibre to the
cabinet was already available, with a connection node just outside the
fence.
   I do not need incredible speed at home but do want to download an average
of perhaps 2GB, very occasionally up to perhaps 10GB, per day, mainly
overnight, and would like to have a fairly reliable connection.
   According to the BT website both areas are scheduled to have fibre to the
cabinet available at the end of March 2011.
   Are areas with Fibre To The Cabinet to be totally switched to that?
Immediately? If so, what speeds will be offered, minimum, maximum, or
considered normal? Is the background infrastructure likely to be available
or are quoted speeds the best that can be expected for a few minutes
overnight?
   Will I still be able to use my own modem or only one provided by BT? Will
I need to purchase new phones? Will businesses need to replace their PABX
systems or should we all change to an internet/IP based system?
   What differences would there be if I am currently connected through
another ISP? Will I need to provide local power, with increasingly important
local backup? I can not rely on local power, and have already suffered from
several local mains feeder faults, including shorts between phases bodged but
not fixed for over a year. A mobile phone is no use when the battery is flat.

-- 
Chris Bell www.chrisbell.org.uk (was www.overview.demon.co.uk)
Microsoft sells you Windows ... Linux gives you the whole house.

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