Lochaber communities are being urged to speak up for Broadband after BT published "trigger level" targets for 6 telephone exchange areas in Lochaber.  They have promised that if enough people register their interest for Broadband, and the targets are met, then BT will begin work to upgrade these telephone exchanges for ADSL Broadband.

Trigger levels and registrations for the Lochaber telephone exchanges at 2 February 2004 are as follows: Ballachulish (includes Glencoe) has 60 registrations out of a target of 150; Kinlochleven has 33 registrations out of a target of 150; Spean Bridge has 71 registrations out of a target of 150; Corpach has 98 registrations out of a target of 200; Mallaig has 59 registrations out of a target of 150 and Salen has 60 registrations out of a target of 100.

If you don't know which BT telephone exchange you are connected to, you can find out at www.bt.com/broadband by typing in your telephone number.  This BT web site also tells you what the trigger level is, as well as the current number of registrations.

With support from Lochaber Enterprise, during "Broadband 4 Lochaber" week, from
9 -13 February, you will be able to register your interest in Broadband at a number of local locations.  Including the Glencoe SPAR, Acharacle Post Office, Ballachulish Co-op, Kinlochleven Co-op, the MACE shop at Spean Bridge, Corpach Co-op and the Post Office in the SPAR shop in Mallaig.

Additionally, during lunchtimes that week a Lochaber Enterprise representative will be visiting one of the areas, and will be available to answer any ADSL Broadband related questions. 
* Monday - Ballachulish Co-op
* Tuesday - Kinlochleven Co-op
* Wednesday - the MACE shop at Spean Bridge
* Thursday - Corpach Co-op
* Friday - the Post Office in the SPAR shop in Mallaig.

Interestingly, BT are only asking you to register your interest - you are not under any commitment to actually buy ADSL broadband when it becomes available - but you will be helping those in your community who need ADSL broadband to get it.  So, even if you have already registered you can register again.

A quick convert to Broadband was Iain Ferguson of The Write Image, who amongst other things sends large picture files to newspapers - a process for which the system is ideal.  He said: "Many newspapers often like several different shots to choose from and this could often mean sitting for several very long and frustrating minutes e-mailing pictures, when I really needed to be somewhere else.  I snapped up Broadband as soon as it became available for the speed it offers as it allowed me to send numerous large files very quickly, freeing up time which would normally have been lost."

Lochaber Enterprise have welcomed BT's move but insist the onus is now on businesses and individuals in Lochaber to register their desire for Broadband.  Morven Cameron, head of skills and advisory services for the Local Enterprise Company said: "Broadband is a high speed, always-on connection to the internet which allows businesses and individuals to communicate up to ten times the speed of an ordinary dial-up service. 

"Broadband is vital to our economic development and I would urge everyone with an interest in the prosperity of our communities to go ahead and register an interest - it costs nothing to register, but every vote counts!"

You can register by logging on to www.hie.co.uk/broadband, or by calling the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Broadband hotline on 0800 027 2327.  Or via most Internet Service Providers. 

Finally, if you're a business signing up for ADSL Broadband, don't forget that there is a ADSL Broadband grant of £300 available from Lochaber Enterprise.  You must apply for the grant before ordering your ADSL Broadband.