Residents of Prickwillow are waiting to hear whether their high-speed internet link connection is to be updated or switched off completely, following a fault that developed in their exchange over two weeks ago.

Following confirmation that the equipment in their exchange, originally installed by Trilogy Telecom with the help of a £20,000 government grant was outdated, villagers have been told to pay up to £7,000 for new equipment or face seeing the connection being turned off completely.

The fault has caused huge disruption in the village and there is concern that unless new equipment is installed the lack of broadband could result in a fall in property value. Currently, residents are relying on dial-up to remain connected.

East Cambridgeshire District Councillor, Jackie Petts expressed her annoyance after she struggling to keep her public relations business running: “I’ve really been half on holiday over the last two weeks,” she said. “It’s been dreadful. I had 500 emails I couldn’t open and my clients haven’t had many media opportunities.”

Chairman of Trilogy Telecom, Wayne Martin as advised villagers that if they paid up for the new services they could receive a better connection than central London: “The easiest option would be for us to switch it off,” said Martin, “but we don’t want to do that unless we have explored all the options.”

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