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Man, 85, wins broadband battle | Man, 85, wins broadband battle |
(about 23 hours later) | |
An 85-year-old computer user says he is enjoying a broadband connection to his rural home, after four years of trying. | An 85-year-old computer user says he is enjoying a broadband connection to his rural home, after four years of trying. |
Vincent Baker was told three times the BT line to his home near Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, was suitable for broadband. | |
But whenever engineers tried to connect him there was a problem and he was told there was "no timescale" to rectify it. | But whenever engineers tried to connect him there was a problem and he was told there was "no timescale" to rectify it. |
However, "complicated" engineering work by BT has seen a fourth attempt prove successful. A delighted Mr Baker said: "It makes so much difference." | However, "complicated" engineering work by BT has seen a fourth attempt prove successful. A delighted Mr Baker said: "It makes so much difference." |
Retired catering executive Mr Baker said he had given up hope of upgrading his dial-up internet connection after three previous attempts, beginning in 2005, failed. | Retired catering executive Mr Baker said he had given up hope of upgrading his dial-up internet connection after three previous attempts, beginning in 2005, failed. |
Yet neighbours near his village home at Aberffrwd, near Aberystwyth, were able to enjoy broadband, even though they were on the same BT line via the same exchange. | |
One engineer told him the problem was "buried loading pots" on the line, yet BT's website listed his number as suitable for broadband. | One engineer told him the problem was "buried loading pots" on the line, yet BT's website listed his number as suitable for broadband. |
Mr Baker, whose first computer was a Sinclair ZX80, said he and wife Margaret, 83, regularly used internet shopping as arthritis had begun to limit their mobility. He said he was finding dial-up "slow and very frustrating." | Mr Baker, whose first computer was a Sinclair ZX80, said he and wife Margaret, 83, regularly used internet shopping as arthritis had begun to limit their mobility. He said he was finding dial-up "slow and very frustrating." |
His case was taken up by his AM, Elin Jones. BT said the provision of broadband was always subject to a line survey. | His case was taken up by his AM, Elin Jones. BT said the provision of broadband was always subject to a line survey. |
However, after the BBC News website highlighted his case, BT invited Mr Baker to reapply for a broadband service. | However, after the BBC News website highlighted his case, BT invited Mr Baker to reapply for a broadband service. |
The result is that, after engineering work on the line and the exchange, Mr Baker has become a fully fledged silver surfer, with a 3-meg service via Tiscali. | The result is that, after engineering work on the line and the exchange, Mr Baker has become a fully fledged silver surfer, with a 3-meg service via Tiscali. |
He said: "The engineer was here for about a fortnight. He tested the line up to about 600m and everything was fine. | He said: "The engineer was here for about a fortnight. He tested the line up to about 600m and everything was fine. |
"What he couldn't understand was how my neighbour was able to get broadband and I wasn't, when we were both in the same line. | "What he couldn't understand was how my neighbour was able to get broadband and I wasn't, when we were both in the same line. |
"He got the exchange to make some changes. He was almost as pleased as I was when he got it working. | "He got the exchange to make some changes. He was almost as pleased as I was when he got it working. |
'Homes and businesses' | 'Homes and businesses' |
"It much easier to email my children and grandchildren, one of whom is teaching in Thailand. | "It much easier to email my children and grandchildren, one of whom is teaching in Thailand. |
"I'm spending far too much time on my computer. I am still finding out things to do. My wife is beginning to complain." | "I'm spending far too much time on my computer. I am still finding out things to do. My wife is beginning to complain." |
Plaid Cymru AM Ms Jones said she was pleased BT carried out the required engineering work. | Plaid Cymru AM Ms Jones said she was pleased BT carried out the required engineering work. |
She said: "To date, I have been contacted by over 250 homes and businesses in Ceredigion who currently cannot receive a broadband connection. | She said: "To date, I have been contacted by over 250 homes and businesses in Ceredigion who currently cannot receive a broadband connection. |
"However, the situation is slowly improving and the assembly government recently announced that it is working with BT to improve broadband availability in six Welsh villages, including at Cilcennin in Ceredigion." | "However, the situation is slowly improving and the assembly government recently announced that it is working with BT to improve broadband availability in six Welsh villages, including at Cilcennin in Ceredigion." |
A BT spokesman said the engineering fix had been clearly "complicated". | A BT spokesman said the engineering fix had been clearly "complicated". |
He said: "We are delighted that we have finally been able to resolve the issues in this case and that Mr Baker now has a working broadband service that meets his needs." | He said: "We are delighted that we have finally been able to resolve the issues in this case and that Mr Baker now has a working broadband service that meets his needs." |
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