The issue will be discussed with the Americans again in the middle of next year, and only then will a decision be taken on whether to close the gaps and make the final connection.

BBC: NEWS | Middle East | Israel to expand security barrier

Former UK justice secretary Jack Straw also said the revelations had no connection to the final decision.

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It said it could not confirm names and final details on numbers of hostages with a Scottish connection as the situation was ongoing.

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Alternatively, rivals may hand over mail to the national operator for final delivery, akin to the last-mile connection that gives new entrants access to existing telecoms infrastructure.

ECONOMIST: Post offices

The final few hundred metres to the house will be crossed with a wireless connection, using transmitters mounted on Tepco's electricity poles and tiny receivers plugged into a subscriber's personal computer.

ECONOMIST: Japanese Telecoms