§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with BT on reducing the trigger numbers required to roll out broadband in smaller market towns. [147914]
1032W
§ Mr. TimmsMy colleagues and I maintain regular contact with BT across a wide range of issues as we do with other broadband providers. On 17 November 2003, BT announced trigger levels for 2,300 exchanges across the country. BT has also, on more than one occasion, reduced trigger levels which it had previously set. Decisions about which exchanges should be upgraded for ADSL or what trigger levels should be, are for telecommunication companies, such as BT, to make on commercial grounds.
Lowering of trigger levels may well be one of he benefits of public sector broadband demand aggregation, which is commencing region-by-region in the coming weeks.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will state the percentage coverage of broadband in(a) Lancashire and (b) each Lancashire district. [148416]