Where Trust Is Money

BT’s pilot tests on its new super-fast broadband network came up against an unexpected obstacle in the form of protests from residents. BT had been conducting field tests of its new network in the Muswell Hill area of London, when residents successfully lodged a petition against the setting up of its tall cabinets with the London Borough of Haringey.

BT was gearing to set up the 1.8-meter cabinets essential for broadband connectivity on the pavement space in Muswell Hill. Residents claimed the green structures would not only block the pavement for pedestrians but also pose a problem for drivers trying to open the nearside doors of their cars.

Voicing their concerns, the treasurer of the Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association John Crompton said that the cabinets were an eyesore and taller than most people’s garden walls, and went totally against the concept of technology making things smaller. A spokesperson for the council added that the locals were angry about BT going ahead with its cabinets installation without getting proper planning approvals first.

BT has offered a consensus solution of working on smaller cabinets to replace the existing ones, but added that the solution may take some time to come. Meanwhile, in the other site of Whitchurch in Cardiff, trials would go ahead as planned. To compensate the suspension of tests in Muswell Hill, BT may look at alternative sites in Glasgow, Manchester or Edinburgh.