Tuesday… another little anniversary
Apr 14th 2009PeterTech stuff
Not momentous, but it is five years ago today that broadband came to my village after 6 months of campaigning!
For those that don’t remember, prior to 2003. broadband was limited to large centres of population, and those of us that lived in the sticks only had dial up internet access either through a normal line or ISDN.
The criteria was demand – the more people that asked at BB, the better the chances of getting it, so people started drumming up support to get interest registered in the hope that their exchange would be enabled. A smart team at BT capitalised on those efforts with support, a forum and promotional material, and working with BT, the campaigns eventually changed the BT policy so that all exchanges were enabled – and mine was one of the first under the new policy.
One of the highlights of the campaign was being invited to the BT Tower in London for a reception, the pictures show the view from the top, and me with the then head of broadband marketing. A good evening!
It is hard to realise at a time when as I have nearly 8Mb/s at home, and I am writing this connected through a high speed mobile network that then 512Mb/s was considered fast. We have come a long way, and I am quite proud to have been a small part of it!
Onwards and upwards! (in speed among other things!)
11 Responses to “Tuesday… another little anniversary”
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Gill on 15 Apr 2009 at 5:28 pm #
I ate in the resteraunt once, when it was fairly new – with David!!!!
Peter on 15 Apr 2009 at 5:41 pm #
Restaurant (as such) no longer, but still used for BT Corporate events – which was how I went! Still rotates though!
Richard on 15 Apr 2009 at 10:52 pm #
Gill was there, it’s just she wasn’t sure why the world was going round.
Billy Butlin was the original caterer…….odd to consider that was quality then.
Anyway, who did you bribe? 8Mb? I only sync at 6 and get about 5 and the line has been replaced……..even the guy opposite the exchange doesn’t get 8………….
Bring on the cable, no reason why it can’t be overhead like in the States, so we all can have it.
Gill, was David (who he?) new or the Tower?
Richard
The Tower reception and do afterwards was a little like the 60s, if you can remember it you weren’t there 🙂
Peter on 15 Apr 2009 at 10:57 pm #
Different Gill (and David) – not campaigners! Didn’t know about Billy Butlin! It was a good evening!
Simon (exBT) on 16 Apr 2009 at 11:08 am #
Was it really 5 years ago – my goodness tempus fugit. I can’t believe Richard is talking bringing on cable – what heresy.
Anyway isn’t it fascinating the faster we are offered the faster we think we need.
Hope everyone well – am enjoying my ‘new career’ at B&Q!!!
O and U
Peter on 16 Apr 2009 at 5:40 pm #
Simon, Good to hear from you – as one of the original team that helped make it all happen! Yes. 5 years since my exchange was enabled – and 6 years this August since the official campaign website opened!
Richard on 16 Apr 2009 at 6:23 pm #
Simon
It is BT who are providing the cable……..unless of course you have changed allegiance since leaving…….still knocking around at Faversham?
Good to know that you are still able to remember……..off to the Twilight Zone……induced by vin rouge 🙂
Richard on 18 Apr 2009 at 12:20 pm #
If it’s the Tower and The Resort of which we speak there can only be one Gill……….
Peter on 18 Apr 2009 at 7:32 pm #
Ah – but how many Gills in a pint?
Richard on 18 Apr 2009 at 7:38 pm #
4, why do you ask?
It really upsets me how small a fraction of a Gill is used in serving a ‘wee dram’.
Never mind soon it will be Pimm’s time, would have been today but the wind was too cold of the North Sea.
Lewis had his 5th birthday party here today, bouncy castle, lots of mess and smore tears.
Now it is time for a little ‘red’ and prepare fo drive to Nottingham tomorrow, whoops have to go Mr Bouncy Castle is here to collect.
Peter on 19 Apr 2009 at 10:34 pm #
Well I wasn’t sure if we had a pint or a swift half with two Gills mentioned!
(Our office building is referred to as “The Bouncy Castle” – especially in the wind!)