Thousands of BT internet users in Dundee could shortly have access to superfast broadband, after the council’s development management committee voted 14 votes to 10 in favour of allowing the telecom company to construct “broadband cabinets” at three locations.
The move means BT users with a standard internet connection will soon have the option to upgrade to superfast broadband.
Despite this, West End councillor Fraser Macpherson voiced his disapproval at the size of the cabinets, which will sit on footpaths at Magdalen Green, West Park Road and Perth Road all within the city’s conservation area.
He called on fellow members to reject the proposal in a bid to put pressure on BT to come up with an alternate design that is more sympathetic to the protected and historic surroundings.
Despite this, councillors went with the recommendation made by the city council and allowed the plans to go through.
The cabinets have to be located as close as possible to the existing BT Openreach cabinet and power supply.
It converts fibre optic cabling to copper cabling, which is then connected to the existing Openreach telecoms cabinet and into the surrounding properties and provides the necessary speed to support superfast broadband.
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user ell brown.