Marraman, I am afraid it is you who speaks nonsense on this matter. You would be wise to read TB's more considered reaction.

It is simply impossible for "experts" to make all decisions. And even if it was possible, which experts do we choose? Are you sufficiently naive to believe that experts would all recommend the same solution? If life was that simple, we would know the one true answer to current economic woes. Sadly, however, expert economists differ enormously in their expert opinions.

So, in a democracy, we elect some of our peers and vest in them authority to act on our behalves and on the basis of appropriate advice.

You may believe such a system to be inefficient, but your suggests on expert governance betray huge misunderstanding and a rather shallow appreciation of the position.

And what is your point James? We are using existing infrastructure here. We are living with the legacies of decisions many many decades ago. Which were right at the time but now represent difficulties in scaling up.

South Korea is very different. Thirty years ago it's most advanced areas were us fifty years ago, and in their worst places, were us in the seventeenth century.

Almost all their recent development has been new from the ground up. There is no legacy, like here.

It is cheaper to do it new, especially in areas in which labour is cheap, than it is here which laying new technology on top of old infrastructure.

The exchange in Carlisle is just off Botchergate. It is there for no purpose that suits the modern world except it was the old GPO exchange building after the war.

Much of the infrastructure is based on 'it's always been there'.

Many people are using copper wires that were put up in the late sixties. The *same* cable, often in older houses the extension cable can be pre sixties.

In the UK we get an amazing job done by BT openreach (bt retail are another case) who maintain the lines and carry out the investment. We probably have some of the best competition and prices in the west.

It is frustrating when you live in a rural area or any area that is outside of the 4km-5km from the exchange sweet spot for broadband.

With reference to paul M i have attached and interesting link on broadband speeds around the world i would particularly like to bring your attention to south korea,just because i don't do this as a proffesion does not mean i am not up to speed with technology and information regarding this,i get my information not just from this country but from around the world as this country usually gives a one sided story about this matter so companys can monopolise and charge and give a service they want, not what is available or what is best.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7098992.stm

I see someone else is copying people's names now.

Think about what you just said. What would be the chance that an expert in large IT infrastructure projects would end up getting elected and in charge just at the right time needed? Almost impossible. Councillors are like members of a jury, they take the decisions based on the informed evidence and recommendations presented to them by the senior staff who work at the council and outside experts. That is how it is and it is how it always has been.

You dont need to be a Dr to be the minister for health, you dont need to be a police officer to be the home officer minister and you dont need to be a maths expert to be the Chancellor and you dont need to be a teacher to be in charge of education.

@Dave - that is absolute nonsense. Are you saying that I could all of a sudden manage something like the Ritz hotel in London, having no experience whatsoever? These councillors are put in charge of making decisions on massive, expensive projects.

I specialise in IT, yet I wouldn't even be able to make an executive decision on this matter, I just don't have the experience & Liz Mallinson who has sat on the council for the last 10 years CAN?!?!?!?

If you're hinting that these councillors receive advice from experts - then why am I paying for a councillor to exist - what is the point in them? Can we not just miss them out? Why am I reading "councillors have rejected the proposal", whereas I should be reading "expert in data communications has rejected the proposal".

I would much rather get rid of them all, then read that headline. At least I could sleep at night knowing that my tax is being spent wisely.

Roll out of 4G will not give superfast broadband. The limit will still be the traffic on the base station ie. the number of clients attempting to use it, and also the circuits back leading to the internet.

There's a lot being said here about the qualifications and experience that may or may not be required by councillors making this decision.

Most of what's said is complete nonsense!

Politicians at both local and national levels are often required to make decisions on highly complex technical matters. They cannot possibly be experts in all of these areas, but they do need to seek and weigh up possibly conflicting expert advice.

I do not know any of the councillors involved in this matter, but I imagine they have based their decision on appropriate technical advice.

Of course, that doesn't mean they've reached the right decision, but it does mean it's taken on the basis of advice.

@TB - thats the most ridiculous statement Ive heard! OF COURSE YOU NEED TO BE A SPECIALIST IN THIS AREA. Good grief.Are you saying my 2 year old could make the same decision?!?!? I assume youre one of these councillors....

it was just like there bright idea for go digital we were scape goats for a test, threw a freeview box we cant even get challange tv like some can further up the coast. they couldnt get that right so they,l have no chance with super fast broadband

marraman, what IT qualification would qualify you to make such a big commercial decision? there isnt one. Foolish question. Politicians in our system of government do not need to be specialists thats what the well paid officers are for.