A DAVID and Goliath battle has erupted between a Bo'ness community church project and a multi-national telecoms firm.
Reverend Albert Bogle, of St Andrew's Church, is furious that Telewest refuses to introduce its Blueyonder broad-band service at the church's public internet access point.
And he is now calling on his 600-strong congregation to support BT's aim to introduce a broadband exchange for the town.
The row started when Mr Bogle applied to have Blueyonder installed at the church which, for residential customers, costs £10. But Telewest does not recognise the church as a residential property and feels installing broadband would not be "viable".
Mr Bogle fumed: "I'm told there is no technical reason why broadband can't be installed — it's just about finances. Telewest feels it wouldn't be financially viable. It's bled all it can out of Bo'ness and now wants to move on and gobble up more communities.
"What makes it all the more galling is that all our neighbours around here have broadband from Telewest. The company is publicising its Blueyonder installation for £10 — but that's only if it
doesn't cost them.
"It appears that Telewest has very narrow vision — it's just not broad enough for the church. So our aim is to go back to BT, which I hope will take a more forward- thinking approach."
Since the end of last year, a number of businesses in Bo'ness, and Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie, have called for locals to support BT's broadband exchange scheme, which has an interest "trigger" level of 500.
At the moment, 266 people have registered an interest, so the town is 53 per cent of the way towards reaching its target.
And Mr Bogle believes that, with the backing of his parishioners, the trigger level could quickly be met.
He said: "We have 600 people in our congregation and I'm sure with their help that the church will be making its way back to BT.
"I'm speaking out in an appeal to get people to lodge an interest in BT broadband but also to try to shame Telewest.
"Given that we're a community organisation, offering free internet access to everyone, I would have thought they could have app-roached us more sympathetically. "
BT spokeswoman Anna Steven said: "We greatly welcome the church's support in helping Bo'ness exchange to reach its broadband customer target.
''The exchange is just over half- way to its target so we are grateful for the church and the Journal's interest." And Anna added: "The church may be able to apply for a Community Connections award through BT's ongoing scheme to provide internet ready PCs for community organisations.
"The current round of awards has just been completed but the church should keep an eye on our website as we are continuing this scheme and the third year will be launched in the spring."
Meanwhile, Telewest spokeswoman Alex Ligg claimed the only solution the company could offer was to register the church as a business user.
She said: "Telewest Broadband regrets that we cannot offer St Andrew's Church our residential Blueyonder broadband internet service.
"Churches, as with any non-residential property are not eligible for our home products. However, we are investigating the possibility of connecting the church with our business service."
* The public internet access point in St Andrews was the first of its kind in Scotland and was funded by the Scottish Executive. That two-year funding deal, however, will run out in April which is why Mr Bogle is looking for ways to continue the service as cost-effectively as possible.
The church also runs a youth media project which attracts some 50 youngsters each Friday. They have helped to make promotional videos for Bo'ness Academy as well as for other Church of Scotland congregations the length and breadth of the country.
And Mr Bogle has hopes of being the first church in Scotland to broadcast services live on the net. To help, log on to www.bt.com/broadband and register your interest — there is no obligation to buy the product simply by registering.