Following success in getting BT exchanges enabled for broadband, Michael
Fabricant is now calling on villagers in the midlands who cannot be supplied
broadband by BT phone line because of the relative remoteness of their
location, to form action groups and investigate alternative technologies.

"This is not as hard as it may seem" says Michael Fabricant. "Villages
like Abbots Bromley in my constituency are too far from a telephone exchange
to make broadband by telephone line possible. But there are alternative
technologies now available.

"With the rural economy now really suffering, broadband provides a business
opportunity to revitalise smaller villages. Although BT will eventually be
able to provide broadband to 90% of the population, many would argue that
the remaining 10% are in the most desperate need.

"I recently attended a Conference in London organised by The Countryside
Agency who have produced an excellent guide on how to bring broadband into
areas where BT cannot. I met people from the Yorkshire Dales who had set up
a wireless broadband system and others who had cabled an area for
themselves.

"I strongly recommend that anyone interested in exploring how to get
Broadband in areas where a BT service is not on the cards should order, free
of charge, ‘Broadband in Rural Area’ (CA 148) published by The Countryside
Agency. The report is the result of a review of 13 early community
broadband projects in England. It identifies best practice by communities,
local authorities and individual businesses to overcome the lack of
broadband services in villages, small towns and rural business parks.
Copies can be obtained by either calling 01242 521381 or by logging onto http://www.countryside.gov.uk

"I hope that even the remotest areas of the Staffordshire Moorlands or Derby
Dales might have access to broadband internet connections with all the
business opportunities that will create", Michael adds.