Sir,
I would like to thank Nick Ainger MP for his support following my recent letter regarding the need for broadband services in Saundersfoot and other villages in Pembrokeshire.
Mr. Ainger has followed up my concerns and those of other constituents by writing at length to the director of the Broadband Wales Unit and the chief executive of the BT Centre.
He has also brought to my attention that the broadband trigger level in Narberth has been raised from an initial 150 registrants to 500, even though trigger levels for comparable towns in other areas are far lower.
BT claims this is because Narberth exchange requires higher investment costs for upgrading to broadband. However, this fact is strongly disputed by local businesses, as Narberth already has a digital exchange.
The situation is similar in Saundersfoot, which also has a ridiculously high trigger level.
In the absence of any local alternative to BT broadband, it is disturbing that the future of livelihoods of Pembrokeshire businesses are being dictated by the whims of what is effectively a private monopoly.
Roger Coombs,
Leafstream Electronic
Publishing,
Oakhill Drive,
Saundersfoot.