Wired Wales
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Lee Bool in Abertillery says some areas aren't even covered by digital satellite:"The trouble is the BSkyB satellite is too low on the horizon for some of us in steep sided valleys to get a signal. Wake up BBC and give the under privileged areas of the UK a break."
Matt in Ystrad Mynach wants better digital and broadband coverage of the valleys:"I agree with Howard Roberts of Ystrad - we pay the same for our TV licence yet we can't receive C4 or C5. Digital coverage here is non-existent and I will not pay for Sky as it is a total rip-off!! The internet should be there for everyone, fairly - it is an excellent form of education. Dial is too slow and Broadband again far too expensive. RIP OFF BRITAIN!!!"
Margery Jones in Bridgend wants the digital service BBC 2W to show her favourite programmes:"While Freeview is useful, why can't I get BBC2 England? I had to watch Extras on analogue - and many good programmes aren't shown on BBC2 Wales. I don't always want to watch parochial subjects, let's have a broader range please..."
Michael Fowler in Hengoed is fed up of coming last: "I think I voice an opinion shared by many that live in my region. Why are we always last to receive anything new or innovative? Every day, I see Freeview boxes on display in our local stores and supermarkets, and for the last few years have asked myself the same question - "When?"
"It's as if we are a secondary society of no consequence! We are fed up with lack of choice while our counterparts in Cardiff enjoy more for their money than we receive."
Simon Smith in Merthyr Tydfil can't get Freeview:"It is utterly frustrating to live within site of the Dowlais TV transponder, and NOT be able to view digital terrestrial TV. Wake up guys, Wales should be at the forefront of technological innovation."
David Morgan in Baden, Pennsylvania, says high speed internet isn't cheap in his part of the world: "Broadband is great. However, it cost a fortune here in the US. So I couldn't keep up with the monthly bill and cancelled. I switched back to phone connection. A little slow, but I don't download anything. For emails and BBC Wales reading and BBC Radio streamed it works fine for me. No complaints now about the $10 a month bill. Cheap!!"
Matthew Coles in Cardiff wonders if everyone needs broadband:"Yes, broadband is a great help to big companies but calling it a luxury is a bit far. Modems are fine for home users of the internet."
Alfie Goodrich says broadband has had a remarkable impact in Monmouth:"We've now had it for a year and there are a whole host of stories from people whose lives have changed as a result, ranging from a local record producer who has just finished working on an album over the web with a band in California; to designers, signwriters and other creative types who now have the ability to send and receive large pieces of work over the line, and many people who now simply have less worries about spending too much time online and racking up lage phone bills.
"Myself and my business partner have just launched a new town website - Monmouth Town Crier - which has been made easier with broadband and later this month we'll be broadcasting the town's annual music festival on the web.
"Feel sorry for people who are still using modems and can't understand why broadband is still being viewed as something of a 'luxury' item in this country when it should be looked upon in the same way as water and electricity; i.e. as a utility."
Check BT's broadband rollout plans for WalesThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
Several people have been asking when digital television via Freeview will become available throughout the South Wales Valleys. Here are a selection of comments: Wayne Burnett in Treherbert:
"We are constantly bombarded about the wonders of digital (radio and TV). Services are advertised constantly, so when are the licence fee payers in the Rhondda going to get the services they help fund!!?"
Gareth Hughes:
"I will be moving to Dowlaise to be with my girlfriend and I am dismayed to find that the good people of Merthyr haven't any decent television except for Sky television. Why has this proud town been left out?"
Tony Lewis in Ebbw Vale:
"Can you imagine the uproar that would result if other public companies started offering different levels of service whilst charging the same fee?"
Richard Cousins in Pentre:
"In the Rhondda Valleys we can't even get the English channels - so what hope is there for getting Digital TV? Very little at the moment. We'll probably be the last to get it - just like everything else."
Howard Roberts from Ystrad Mynach:
"We pay the same licence fee as everyone else, and I think we should demand a reduction. We are are simply not receiving the same level of service, and it is not fair."
Robert Healey from Ebbw Vale:
"Freeview is available in eighty per cent of the UK via a £100 adapter. Yet we in the Valleys have to pay £250 for Sky installation and then use a BBC card. Does this seem fair?"
John Hooper from Ebbw Vale:
"We are now in the 21st century and we want this service nationwide."
Don Parker from Abertillery:
"I would like to add my voice to the growing number of people asking why there is no Freeview in the valleys? Can someone please give me an answer?"
BBC Wales has issued the following response:
"The BBC is keen to get its services on Freeview made available to many more areas than can receive it now. But we have to do this alongside the other Freeview broadcasters, we must have closure of the existing (analogue) services and the government has to agree a plan for this to happen. We understand that, as part of the government's Digital Action Plan, they will consult publicly on its plans for digital switchover this spring (2004). Members of the public and interested groups will have the opportunity to submit their views to government.
"However, in areas where Freeview may not currently be available, digital satellite is an alternative option (i.e. 'free-to-air'), and is available within roughly the same price bracket as Freeview. A common misconception is that a subscription to BSkyB is necessary, but in fact this is not true. You can purchase a minidish and digibox from BSkyB themselves for a one-off payment of £120 which includes installation. With this system you will be able to receive every regional variation of BBC1 and BBC2 (an option which Freeview cannot offer due to space restrictions), BBC3, BBC4, News24, BBC Parliament, CBBC and CBeebies, and every national BBC radio station (including digital stations) and the interactive BBCi."
More about Digital services from the BBC
Richard Galliers in Merthyr Tydfil says Lottery cash should be used to create Broadband Britain:"I am sick and tired of money being drained from the lottery for projects in London. The Millennium Dome, new Wembley stadium and the current Olympic bid are three of these money pits.
"The lottery was supposedly set up to bring benefits to everyone - not just Londoners, yet most of the obscene sized grants go there.
"Broadband is an investment in the UK's economy, education and communications infrastructure. It is NOT a project, but will leave a lasting legacy of benefits for future users. It's time to spend the lottery on the forgotten masses!"
Gavin in Wales is concerned about barriers to access to free TV channels on digital satellite:"I think it's unfair that anyone has to use a BBC card. I would never pay £250 to watch the BBC. I have Sky at the moment and I can honestly say that I never watch BBC1, 2 or HTV. It's just too miserable! Every soap makes you want to end your life and other than DIY programmes there's not much else on!"
BBC ends Sky digital deal - BBC News(Since May 2003 you haven't needed a Sky Digital contract to watch BBC channels on digital satellite)
Dave Innola, from Cardiff but living in New Orleans, says good internet access is a double edged sword:"I started on the net with a shared telephone line and AOL - crashes galore, slow speed, incompleted downloads , overloaded chat rooms, the viruses up the ying yang, knocked offline when the phone rang.
"Then our local cable TV company offered an internet hook up. My internet speedometer is reading a hook up speed of 182.04 kbps. No more crashes, no more waiting - every thing works as advertised. No file to large to receive and very little spam.
"The downside is you spend far too much time surfing - I haven't seen the TV remote for months!"
Peter Davies says Chepstow and the Wye Valley are in danger of being left behind by the lack of broadband:"Good communications today are as important as good road links. The Assembly, the MPs, the councils all make the right noises but nothing ever happens. We have to go cap in hand to BT to be part of the future - and it just shouldn't be like that. Certain things you can only buy on the internet, to achieve discounts you have to buy on the internet, to apply for many jobs you have to apply via the internet. It's daft - the internet is real - it's here now but the means of quick access isn't. Trying to access the internet from where I live is like trying to drive to London on country lanes. Too bloody daft to even try. Once again Wales will find itself playing catch-up!"
Anne from Chepstow agrees with Peter:
"We are losing out now due to the lack of a good communications infrastructure and many of the opportunities are gone forever. Catching up will take time. For the want of a fast connection I could become a home worker and save a journey to Bristol every day making one less car to pollute the atmosphere. Unrealistic registration levels for the area ensure that won't happen for some time yet!"
Broadband drive in Monmouthshire - BBC News
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