THE answer to providing broadband access to more remote parts of the county could be found in the clouds.
A company called SkyLinc (www.skylinc.co.uk) has developed helium filled balloons that will form base stations which provide double the speed of regular broadband access.
The balloons will be tethered about 1.5km in the air and be fed signals via a fibre optic pole.
And with just 18 base stations the whole of the UK could be covered, from a town centre firm to country cottage in the deep glens of Scotland.
The technology behind the idea has been around for years, with the US operating several such aerostats on its borders and the US military employing similar technology for about 50 years.
Initially the system is seen as most suitable for small businesses, and promises to be a tenth of the cost of leased lines. But in the future, the technology is likely to come down in price and be available to consumers as well.
SEVENTY feet below the streets of London lies a railway system that carries no passengers and has no drivers.
The Post Office Mail Rail (www.mailrail.co.uk) is a system of tunnels that are used to transport parcels and letters around the capital.
An underground unmanned service was started in 1927 and at its height transported around 7m bags of mail a year. This weekend though sees it used for the last time and the 23 miles of track are to be mothballed.
The site gives an intriguing insight into a piece of British history that has been unknown to many for years. You will also find a full history of the tunnels, how they were constructed and a gallery of pictures.
Big Brother madness is taking over the world it would appear and now past rejects are trying to cash in.
Dean and Stuart, from a previous series of the show, are pushing their Tea Bag Bin (www.teabagbin.com) which is used to avoid tea drips.
The site is far too flash and lets face it -- it's a bin for your kitchen bin.
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