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BT fails to confirm Barrow broadband upgrade
Barrow residents may miss out on BT's programme of copper broadband upgrades.
Carlisle, Kendal and Penrith are among the local exchanges that have already been upgraded by the telecoms giant, but Barrow has so far missed out on the service, which offers download speeds of up to 20Mbps.
Responding to calls from readers of the North-West Evening Mail regarding BT's future plans for the area, the company insisted it is too early to say if the exchange at Barrow is in line for an upgrade, but urged local residents and businesses to register their interest in receiving faster speeds.
"Our rollout programmes of both fibre and enhanced copper services are part of an ongoing UK-wide investment, so the story is by no means over," a spokeswoman said.
"That said, it is impossible to say whether Barrow will be included in the next phase as we are not advised of locations until shortly before each announcement is made."
BT went on to explain that several factors - including population density, cost, demand and the layout of the existing infrastructure - are taken into account when choosing which exchanges to upgrade.
MP for Barrow and Furness John Woodcock has joined the call for faster broadband in his constituency by writing to BT chief executive Ian Livingston.
Mr Woodcock said it is "completely unacceptable" for Furness to be left behind when other parts of the county are gaining access to next-generation broadband speeds.
Reliable and fast broadband is "essential" for creating and safeguarding jobs and investment in Barrow, the MP added.
The comments come shortly after the internet service provider revealed another 48,000 homes and businesses across Cumbria will have access to high-speed copper broadband by this summer.
Appleby, Dalton, Egremont and Millom are among the communities set to benefit from the infrastructure improvement project.