Getting wired; highspeed broadband and mobile news.

A 'not spot'?

During the week I stirred myself from post-election torpor to attend a meeting of the rather exclusive group of 10 Suffolk County Councillors who have the doubtful distinction of representing the most ‘remote’ areas when it comes to high speed broadband coverage.

Completion of the ‘first contract’, which will cover 85% of homes in Suffolk, is likely during the autumn.  Work will then start on scoping out the next 85% to 95% which will be built out between the beginning of 2016 and the end of 2017.  This will reach a much larger geographical area, but, because it is more dispersed, the cost will be much higher.  The ‘cost per house passed’ in the first contract is around £300, but the second will cost double that.  Fortunately funding has been secured from central government, although SCC has to match it pound for pound.

Much of the Waldingfield area is already connected, or will be soon, and according to the map here  a certain amount of Cosford is too.  All of the other villages (yes, including you Semer!) will be part of the second contract, and more information should be available about timing in the autumn.  It will be the case however that some far flung spots will not be covered, and the council is now working on finding solutions for the last 5%.

The council is not going back on its commitment to improve the connection for those homes that are unable to receive more than 2 mps at the end of the current year.  it is estimated that 17,000 homes across the county could be in this position.  However, rather than apply for a voucher to acquire a satellite facility, householders may prefer to wait for the cheaper and faster alternative of high speed broadband, depending on how soon this is expected.

It is important to remember that simply having the capability to receive high speed broadband does not mean that it will arrive automatically on your computer.  It is necessary to contact your provider and sign a new contract which may be a little more expensive that the current one.  Take up of high speed broadband  in Suffolk has so far been very good with some 22.19% of enabled households already signed up.

At the meeting we were also given an update on the Government’s Mobile Infrastructure Programme, which aims to improve wireless availability in rural areas by eliminating ‘not spots’.  Suffolk is, apparently, likely to do well out of this scheme over the next two years.  The position locally should be much improved by the installation of new masts at Edwardstone, Hitcham and Rattlesden.  Unfortunately at present the Hitcham mast is subject to delay due to a judicial review.