A number of smaller BT exchanges in the Shetland Isles have fallen victim to failing broadband during 2007. Earlier in the week services were disrupted for almost 24 hours in Vidlin, Ollabery and Gutcher. Customers have reported that BT helpline staff refused to admit that there was a failure and suggested that the problem was caused by their computer equipment.

Shetland MSP Tavish Scott has been forced to arrange a meeting between the broadband-troubled villagers in Shetland and BT: “I am very concerned by the systemic failure around Shetland,” said Scott. “The best way forward would be to have a meeting involving British Telecom and local users hosted by the area’s community council early in the New Year.” It has been suggested to residents to document their broadband downtime so that a factual analysis can be presented to BT.

A spokesperson for BT has said that the company would consider the invitation:

“BT Scotland is pursuing these network reliability issues with our colleagues in BT Wholesale - they manage the broadband network - and we’ll get back to Tavish Scott once we have discussed his invitation to a meeting with them…I’m told that the fault which affected Vidlin was not related to the fault which affected Gutcher and Ollaberry,”

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