Michael Fletcher, of

Ivybridge, writes:

The Government has decreed 'super-fast broadband' is to be rolled out to rural areas including the South West.

British Telecom call it 'BT Total Broadband or BT Infinity.'

My advice is, do not hold your breath.

In reality, this means BT using local distribution metallic cables with technology that is around 100 years old. It could be likened to installing a modern seven-litre Rolls-Royce engine in a 1910 vintage motorcar.

BT will tell you that they have or are installing high-speed fibre optic cables to accommodate speeds up to 100 megabits per second.

What they do not tell you is these cables only run from your local telephone exchange to one of those green metallic cabinets we see on the pavements. From there to your home BT's broadband is delivered on old technology usually described as twisted pairs of copper or aluminium wires.

This method goes back to the days of operator-handled, voice-only telephone calls. Who can remember the phrase, 'number please?'

In an attempt to overcome this weakness, BT employs something called asynchronous digital service line technology.

Unfortunately it doesn't eradicate the fault liabilities inherent in the many clamped and screw joints in the cable metallic conductors between your residence and the local telephone exchange.

In past times 'plain old telephone service' or POTS as it was known, could live with these shortcomings albeit your line might have been a bit noisy.

Consider BT's competitors use 21st-century technology all the way into your home.

These are the cable TV providers using fibre optic or co-axial cable and the cellular wireless providers using radio signals.

They have invested in modern distribution transmission plant; BT has not here in the South Hams.

So why not go to one of the many alternative broadband providers?

There is no advantage, because unless you engage one of the aforementioned media providers, the chances are all others have to use BT's antiquated wire-based local exchange distribution network.

Unless your residence is within a reasonably short distance from a BT telephone exchange or distribution cabinet almost certainly you will not receive 100 megabits quality.

On plant in a reasonable state of repair outside this radius the most you are likely to receive will be around 20 to 30 megabits.

In all events you will be paying for 100 megabit service! BT does not have scaled tariffs.

In my personal case, I switched to 'BT Total Broadband' in September 2009. In September 2010 I subscribed to BT Vision. That is video (TV channels) and audio (radio stations) delivered over the internet.

At the point of sale I was informed that, in my postcode in Ivybridge, I could expect a signal of 6.5 megabits.

In fact, my line speed has averaged around 1.9 megabits per second since taking out the BT Vision subscription. When I was able to log on, the picture kept freezing to the point of being annoying and unwatchable.

Last July, BT engineers confirmed after several visits that my line was inadequate due to the condition of the cable feeding my residence.

In January I wrote to Warren Buckley, BT director of customer service, Ofcom, the telecoms ombudsman, Devon Trading Standards and my constituency MP.

The only one of these who got personally involved and remains involved was my MP.

In fairness to BT, the problem was devolved, via their executive complaints office,' to the local BT Openreach engineers.

These engineers have been diligent in all respects, however, it could be said they are looking for the proverbial telephonic needle in a digital haystack.

Recently, on their latest fault-finding mission, I was advised they had found two fault conditions due to substandard cable plant.

It is my considered opinion, based on 40 years in the telephone industry here and in the United States, that BT has got major problems in the South West.

If you do not believe me look at the BBC News Website. They ran an article on Thursday, February 23, based on findings of a survey of 1.6 million homes by 'uSwitch.' Julia Stent, director of telecoms at uSwitch, stated that:

'Britain might be riding the wave of a super-fast broadband revolution, but for 49 per cent who get less than the national average broadband speed, the wave isn't causing so much a splash as a ripple,' said Julia Stent, director of telecoms at uSwitch.

Frankly in my opinion it is disgraceful that a company with BT's resources in capital money and modern technology appears to be getting away with:

Provision of service far below their implied, published standards in my location and prossibly others like it around the South Hams.

Selling products that are operationally most likely to be unfit for purpose.

Charging me, and possibly many others in the South Hams, for services I am not fully receiving i.e. BT Total Broadband and BT Vision.

Failing to advise of problem resolution progress or offer alternatives up front.

Failing to maintain outside plant cable distribution network at least in my location or upgrading it to 21st-century standards.

From my MP's involvement in this matter, I suspect I am not alone in the South Hams or indeed the South West.