BTS011 July 28, 2004: Broadband campaigners in Maybole are today celebrating the arrival of the high-speed internet service in the Ayrshire town.

Local woman Sarah Beth Anderson worked tirelessly to drum up interest in the technology in the community after BT launched a registration programme that linked Scottish exchange upgrades to demand. Trigger levels ranged from 100-500 and people were asked to register their interest online.

Sarah designed a web site to keep local people informed as registrations began to mount up. Her efforts were rewarded at the end of February when the target of 500 registrations was reached and today BT engineers turned on the super-fast technology at their exchange.

Sarah said: “Seeing broadband being introduced to Maybole is a real achievement for me and one which I feel will greatly benefit the community. It was a lot of hard work getting the required registrations and I would like to thank the local community and businesses without whose support it wouldn’t have been possible. Broadband is going to greatly benefit the community and I am very glad to see it happen.”

Local MP George Foulkes congratulated Sarah Beth for her efforts, adding: “Provision of broadband was a major issue in local communities. The registration programme gave people the power to use their voices but it wouldn’t have happened so quickly without the determination and perseverance of campaigners like Sarah Beth.

“Now that the technology is available we can’t rest on our laurels – we must ensure local residents and businesses alike take full advantage of broadband and join the thousands of Scots already surfing at speed.”

Malcolm Starke, BT’s broadband deployment strategy manager, who lives in Girvan, said: “This is a great result not only for the campaigners but also for Maybole.

“Everyone stands to benefit from fast internet access and we are only just beginning to understand the vast potential it offers. It’s no exaggeration to say that the internet can positively benefit almost every aspect of everyday life.”

For more information about this news release, please contact Mitch Reid or Anna Steven in the BT Scotland 24-hour press office on 08457 262624.