OKEHAMPTON is more than two-thirds of the way towards meeting the BT trigger level of 300 registrations in the race for broadband.

Okehampton currently stands at 209, needing 91 more registrations to meet the trigger level set by BT.

At present Chagford has 49 registrations, North Tawton has 48, and Hatherleigh has 36, no trigger has yet been set for any of these smaller exchanges.

Broadband enables high-speed connection to the internet and allows users to work on-line without blocking their normal phone line.

Mike Saunby of the Okehampton Market and Coastal Towns Initiative working group said there had been important recent developments in broadband technology.

Mike said: ?BT have completed their trials of a new technology called ?mini DSLAM? and are offering this, at a price, to communities where ADSL, requiring 300 users or more, is not yet available.

?Although probably only suited to business users as the price is likely to be in the region of £80 per month it can be provided where there are as few as 30 customers requiring the service.?

He said: ?Though this ?one size fits all? may not be ideal for everyone it is hoped that with a mix of satellite ? see http://www.rabbit-broadband.org.uk">www.rabbit-broadband.org.uk and wireless solutions it should soon be possible for everyone in the area to obtain a broadband service that suits their needs.?

Mike advises anyone who wants more information to check the Okehampton Area MCTI website at http://www.okehampton.com">www.okehampton.com.

Those who would like help, or can offer help, in bringing broadband to Okehampton, are asked if they could please contact Michael Saunby at [email protected]">[email protected]