Category: Broadband

The project to increase the amount of Next Generation Access on the Isle of Wight may not be massive with 20,000 homes, but the debate on the island is revealing a lot more information into the public domain that to date has been subject to guesswork.

We covered briefly the closure of Talk21 a week ago and BT has now updated the FAQ for the service closure to reflect the new offer.

While the UK may not have millions of homes with access to full fibre solutions, Bournemouth where 21,000 homes are passed by the CityFibre network is certainly a choice for those wanting the fastest broadband and a seaside location.

While the press likes us to look at pictures of sheep in fields to go along with BDUK news, the reality is reflected once more in the news that Newcastle City Council has signed with BT to push fibre coverage in the area.

Three councils are working together to add another 33,000 premises to the FTTC/P footprint in their area on top of the commercial coverage which should be some 240,000 premises.

Another County Council has announced its BDUK project contract and ambitions, this time it is Leicestershire who aim to bring fibre based broadband to 95% of households and businesses by March 2016.

The majority of the BDUK work is nothing to do with rural areas, as the majority of the coverage is in what is strictly classed as semi-urban. The real rural projects are those under the RCBF umbrella and East Cleveland are looking to get a scheme up and running to help that area.

Another day and a few more million invested in our broadband future, this time it is Essex County Council with a £24.6 million product to improve broadband across the county.

The Isle of Wight is either playing the tough negotiating game with BT or is struggling to handle the BDUK process and square the various rules about coverage.

Nottinghamshire County Council has signed on the dotted line with BT as part of a £20m project to get fibre based broadband (FTTC/FTTP) to 95% of premises in the county.