[Return to Broadband for
Arnisdale/Corran]
Correspondence with Harry Emambocus of Scottish executive following my
letter to Arnisdale residents
Subject: Re: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: <Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk>
To: [Peter Buneman]
Cc: <stuart.robertson@hient.co.uk>,
<Zahid.Deen@scotland.gsi.gov.uk>
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2007 11:27:03 -0000
Thread-Topic: Re: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
Thread-Index: AccwvGxflQY4vywZRs2cw5NHjmdbOw==
X-Mew: Text/Plain in Multipart/Alternative as a singlepart
Dear Mr Buneman
I work in the Telecoms Policy team at the Scottish Executive and Stuart
Robertson of HIE passed me a copy of your email of 4th Jan to Arnisdale
residents.
I'd like to reassure you that whilst the cluster in Glenelg/Arnisdale
area is not mentioned in detail in the Mason report on Broadband reach,
it is one which is known to the Executive, and is on our database of
broadband access problems. It is important to recognise that
the
clusters identified in the report represent groups of unfulfilled
broadband demand made known to the Executive at a point in time - i.e.
the point at which this section of the report was finalised - however of
course we apprecitate that new clusters may emerge, and the recommended
approach detailed in the report takes this factor into account.
We have a copy of the list showing broadband demand in Arnisdale which
you prepared last August, and I can confirm that Arnisdale is being
given scrutiny by both ourselves and BT in our approach to the reach
problem. Our methodology to prioritise areas is currently
being
finalised but it will essentially comprise several elements: levels of
known unfulfilled demand, predictions about areas with no coverage (i.e.
BT data), business needs, and the cost and value-for-money aspects for
providing solutions will be taken into account, if indeed technical
solutions are feasible.
Thank you for the efforts you have made in bringing the broadband access
problem in Arnisdale to the Executive and further updates on our policy
and work on broadband reach will be articulated on newly revamped
Broadband For Scotland website (www.broadbandforscotland.co.uk) which is
due to go live by the end of January (please note that the link
currently takes you to the old version of the site).
Kind regards
Harry Emambocus
Scottish Executive
Telecoms Policy Unit
Subject: Re:
Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: Peter Buneman
To: Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Date: Sat, 06 Jan 2007 09:49:09 +0000 (GMT)
X-Mailer: Mew version 4.2 on Emacs 21.4 / Mule 5.0 (SAKAKI)
Dear Mr. Emambocus,
Thank you for your email concerning the provision of Broadband to
Arnisdale. It is encouraging that we are "known to the
Executive".
However, we are at a loss to understand why the existence of Arnisdale
was not "made known to the Executive at a point in time -
i.e. the
point at which this section of the report was finalised". The
geographical location of Arnisdale is well-known, and we have been
asking for improved communications long before the Mason report was
initiated.
In view of this we would like some reassurance that the Scottish
Executive now has accurate and up-to date statistics on Arnisdale, in
particular on the "elements" mentioned in the methodology you
propose
for prioritisation. We would also like some re-assurance that
Arnisdale will be considered fairly in comparison with other
communities.
I would be grateful therefore if you would send me your
database. I
assume that this consists of a spreadsheet and can be sent as an
e-mail attachment, but if it is larger I will make available a web
site to which you can upload the relevant files.
Best wishes
Peter Buneman
Subject: RE: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: <Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk>
To: [Peter Buneman]
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 10:45:02 -0000
Thread-Topic: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
Thread-Index: Accxk0KyUvAfi0urRCOcpEryAgwx0ABfMfzA
Dear Mr Buneman
I have extracted the relevant data relating to Glenelg from our database
- see attached file, and this represents the unfulfilled demand in
Arnisdale currently known to the Executive. As you will see,
this
comprises largely the data from the list you sent Stuart Robertson last
August - if there are any new entries or changes that we should be aware
of, I'd appreciate if you could let me know in order that these can be
formally logged by the Executive too.
Kind regards,
Harry Emambocus
Scottish Executive
Telecoms Policy Unit
*0141 242 5430
[Mr. Emambocus provided the list of people I sent to Stuart Robertson
in August/September 2006]
Subject: Re: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: Peter Buneman
To: Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 14:22:49 +0000 (GMT)
X-Mailer: Mew version 4.2 on Emacs 21.4 / Mule 5.0 (SAKAKI)
Dear Mr Emambocus,
Thank you for the list. It is indeed the list I sent you, and
I am
glad that it is in your database.
However, I think that what you have sent me is
incomplete. In your
previous message, you state:
"Our methodology to prioritise areas is currently being
finalised but
it will essentially comprise several elements: levels of
known
unfulfilled demand, predictions about areas with no coverage
(i.e. BT
data), business needs, and the cost and value-for-money
aspects for
providing solutions will be taken into account, if indeed
technical
solutions are feasible."
Therefore your database should also contain:
(1) a list of the business needs in Arnisdale/Corran, and
(2) the costs of the various options for providing broadband
to the
community.
Could you also provide me with this data?
With thanks and best wishes
Peter Buneman
Subject: RE:
Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: <Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk>
To: [Peter Buneman]
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 15:18:46 -0000
Thread-Topic: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
Thread-Index: AcczMI9WmzFx88jQSpynxxjhXfKGDAABrF4w
Dear Mr Buneman
These elements to our general methodology are currently being
investigated. If you are in a position to supplement the
information
you have already provided about Arnisdale (i.e. indicate which on your
list have a business, domestic, or both, interest in broadband), this
would be gratefully received and we would gladly feed this into our
analysis.
Thanks,
Harry Emambocus
Scottish Executive
Telecoms Policy Unit
*0141 242 5430
Subject: Re:
Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: Peter Buneman
To: Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:51:11 +0000 (GMT)
X-Mailer: Mew version 4.2 on Emacs 21.4 / Mule 5.0 (SAKAKI)
I may be able to help, but surely you could provide me with the list
of businesses you already have so that I don't duplicate the work you
have done. Also, could you please provide the data I
requested about
costs.
Thank you
Peter Buneman
Subject: RE:
Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: <Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk>
To: [Peter Buneman]
Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2007 13:03:34 -0000
Thread-Topic: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
Thread-Index: AccziEM9PCxE6mD0QzmYbrx3gryJ5QAZI+ng
Dear Mr Buneman
According to the postcode data we have for the Arnisdale/Corran area out
of reach of the Glenelg exchange (which falls within the postcodes IV40
8JL, IV40 8JJ, IV40 8JH), there are 3 non-residential
properties. If
there are residential properties within these postcodes which have a
business interest too (other than the 3 mentioned), these are not known
to the Executive.
As I mentioned in my previous email, the cost element to our general
methodology (which includes all the areas we are investigating) is
currently being investigated and therefore am unable to provide you with
this. In any event, I would not be able to disclose this type
of data.
It would not be in the public domain as it is commercially confidential
- if we went down the route of a further tender or procurement, we would
be required to keep this type of information confidential.
Harry Emambocus
Scottish Executive
Telecoms Policy Unit
*0141 242 5430
Subject: Re:
Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: Peter Buneman
To: Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 03:31:39 -0500 (EST)
Reply-To: peter@cis.upenn.edu
X-Mailer: Mew version 4.2 on Emacs 21.3 / Mule 5.0 (SAKAKI)
Dear Mr. Emambocus,
I am travelling at the moment, so this reply must be brief.
I think you will understand that I am quite concerned about the lack
of information you appear to have on Arnisdale. Listing the
number of
non-residential buildings is hardly an accurate estimate of the
business activity in the community. I shall attempt
to provide you
with a list.
As for the confidentiality of costs and bids, I shall have to accept
your word on this for the time being. However can you give me
some
assurance that you know what the technical options are for Arnisdale.
Nothing I have seen from you or the Mason report indicates that you
are aware of what the problem is in providing us with broadband.
Thank you
Peter Buneman
I replied giving Mr. Emambocus a
list of 12 business activities in Arnisdale for which he thanked me and
asked for some further details.
Later ...
Subject: RE: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: <Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk>
To: [Peter Buneman]
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 17:28:28 -0000
Thread-Topic: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
Thread-Index: Acc1Wv3VkwxyG+AqTAGmyooVuLRsWAJuLVnQ
Dear Mr Buneman
Thank you for your email of 11th January, and please accept my apologies
for the delay in replying.
I can advise you that at this stage of our analysis, the Executive, with
BT is investigating the viability of wired solutions for a number of
areas listed in the Reach study, and I can advise that this does include
Arnisdale/Corran (Glenelg exchange). Whilst, as you are aware, we have
not yet finalised our overall approach to the reach problem in Scotland,
as set out in the Mason report (sections 7.3.2 & 8.2), this very
important stage (i.e. ongoing work with BT) must be undertaken from the
outset.
Harry Emambocus
Scottish Executive
Telecoms Policy Unit
Subject: Re: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: Peter Buneman <opb@inf.ed.ac.uk>
To: Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 01:13:04 +0000 (GMT)
X-Mailer: Mew version 4.2 on Emacs 21.4 / Mule 5.0 (SAKAKI)
Dear Mr. Emambocus,
Thank you for this information.
Could please tell me the figure you have for the distance between
Arnisdale/Corran and the exchange at Glenelg. Would you also please
tell me the technology that you are proposing for a "wired solution".
Thank you.
Peter Buneman
Subject: RE: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: <Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk>
To: <opb@inf.ed.ac.uk>
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:15:25 -0000
Thread-Topic: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
Thread-Index: Acc/VM2A2Qe07iidRI6zLCH8hmBEvgAUri8g
Dear Mr Buneman
By "wired" solution, we mean that we're investigating the viability of
upgrading BT's existing local infrastructure (i.e. copper). BT's
analysis indicates that the line length from Glenelg exchange to
Arnisdale is approximately 15.5km, approaching approximately 17km at
Corran.
Kind regards
Harry Emambocus
Scottish Executive
Telecoms Policy Unit
*0141 242 5430
Subject: Re: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: Peter Buneman <opb@inf.ed.ac.uk>
To: Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 12:20:16 +0000 (GMT)
X-Mailer: Mew version 4.2 on Emacs 21.4 / Mule 5.0 (SAKAKI)
Dear Mr. Emambocus,
Would you be good enough to indicate what technology will convey
broadband over 17km of copper cable? I may have missed this in the
Mason report.
Thank you
Peter Buneman
Subject: FW: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
From: <Harry.Emambocus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk>
To: <opb@inf.ed.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:55:09 -0000
Thread-Topic: Broadband in Arnisdale/Corran
Thread-Index: Acc/sgbC3lfIqOweRn2feG+6AiGDfQBqTyHgAAPb+bA=
Dear Mr Buneman
As indicated previously, our current work with BT - investigation of
wired solutions in out of reach areas - is the only first stage of our
approach as set out in the Mason report.
Clearly, in cases where distance from the exchange is extreme - such as
Arnisdale/Corran - copper alone (even at the best quality) is unlikely
to solve the reach problem. The Executive is fully aware that other
methods of delivering ADSL or alternative technologies such as wireless
require to be considered. I draw your attention to Section 5 of the
Mason report where these are outlined. I would like to reassure you
that the Executive will investigate options of this nature as
appropriate. However, I, nor anyone else in the Executive at this
stage, is able to provide you with any further information about this in
relation to Glenelg or any other specific exchange location in Scotland.
All futher relevant updates on our work on the reach problem will be
articulated - when they are available - on the newly revamped Broadband
for Scotland website (www.broadbandforscotland.co.uk) which will be
going live by the end of January (please be aware that the link
currently takes you to the old version of the site). If, after reading
relevant updates, you would like further clarification, please get back
in touch with either myself or Zahid Deen, Head of Telecoms Policy at
the Executive.
Kind regards
Harry Emambocus
Scottish Executive
Telecoms Policy Unit
[Return to Broadband for
Arnisdale/Corran]