Broadband update 5

This is in danger of becoming a permanently ongoing saga, but hopefully we have some progress at last!

Firstly, you will be aware that we took the deadlock between BT and OpenReach to the Ombudsman for an arbitration on their intransigence in enabling the Community Fibre Partnership scheme to move ahead. Well, the Ombudsman eventually decided that this was not a case for them to opine on and have washed their hands of the matter for the time-being. So no progress there!

However, we have had some recent news which is far more positive. In December, one of the independent broadband operators, Airband, was awarded a contract by Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) to provide fibre broadband to 40,000 homes and businesses in poorly served parts of the two counties, and the good news is that Fitzhead is part of the programme. Indeed, you may have recently received a letter from Airband outlining their plans. Engineers will be surveying the area over the next few weeks with the aim of preparing for construction of the new network this Autumn. The Fitzhead scheme currently takes in 128 properties (which I have listed), and works will take place between September and December, although Airband hope to complete before December.

I am now in touch with the liaison officers at Connecting Devon and Somerset and Airband and will provide updates whenever I receive them, although you may all receive correspondence direct from Airband. I should stress that at present it is unclear as to whether we will all have to (re)pledge our Gigabit vouchers towards financing the scheme or whether there will be a modest connection fee (circa £99) per residence. Airband will clarify this over the coming weeks. They will also explain the commercial arrangements with customers post-rollout. My understanding is that we will initially be tied to using Airband as broadband providers for a period of a year or so following connection, so this might be something to bear in mind if you are renewing agreements with BT, EE etc over the coming months. I believe Airband’s typical packages are £38 to 47 per month for broadband speeds of 40 to 100Mb upload (and 10 to 25Mb upload!). I have attached an Airband newsletter for April below with some background.

The following properties are listed as being within the scope of Airband’s current Fitzhead roll-out. If your property is not listed here Airband have requested that you register your interest with them so that they can hopefully include you in the scope ahead of works commencing (since it will be much simpler and cheaper to do the works all in one go). To register, go to the contact form on the Airband website and scroll down to the enquiry form, click the button for General enquiry and then enter your details, including entering the following “I wish to be included in the Airband rollout for Fitzhead due to commence in September.” Please also let me know if you are not on the list and I will make sure that this is brought to Airband’s attention.

So, crossed fingers we may actually have some solid and transparent progress. Let me know if you have any queries.

David