Missing Paperwork Delays UK Broadband 81
nk497 writes "UK broadband funding is being delayed... by missing paperwork. The government is doling out £530m to boost UK broadband, but needs European Commission approval first. The department responsible for broadband says it's sent the necessary documents, but the EC says it hasn't received them. It's the latest delay to the funding, following competition concerns over BT's dominance in the market."
Re:"EC says it hasn't received them" (Score:4, Interesting)
Sadly true - and it's not just recent. I remember that around 15 years ago, I sent an application pack for a PhD course at a major UK university via Royam Mail recorded delivery. This was a big pack of papers - not just an application form, but substantial portfolio of previous work. Of course, it vanished into a black hole - and I missed the applications deadline as a result. The Royal Mail was very apologetic and there was some derisory compensation offer, but I'd eat my hat if anybody lost their job.
It was all for the best anyway - I stepped back from it, realised I'd rather go into the world of work rather than further academic study and, I suspect, my life is considerably better now than it would have been if I'd spent a further 3 years studying rather than earning.
Are they using email? (Score:4, Interesting)
It's been something like 20+ years ago I've lost my last email.
Because of a failing relay.
Unless this paperwork is really worked on paper. In which case I can guess:
- the envelope has been handed to the post office, but never left it;
- they missed the proper stamp value on the envelope;
- they missed the proper destination address on the envelope;
- the envelope reached the destination but got handed to the wrong office which trashed it;
- the paperwork has been written in English and sent to a German/French/Italian only speaking office;
- the paperwork has been sent to Cowboy Neal;
- all of the above at the same time.