TrueSpeed Deploying 10Gbps Fibre Optic Broadband to North East Somerset

A previously unknown operator called TrueSpeed Communications has announced a new deal with Hibernia Networks, which will help it to roll-out a 10Gbps (Gigabits per second) capable pure fibre optic (FTTP) broadband network to cover homes and businesses in parts of North East Somerset and possibly Wiltshire (England).

The project appears to be a rebirth of the Wansdyke Telecom scheme that briefly popped into our news just over a year ago before going quiet again (here). At the time Wansdyke billed itself as a Community Interest Company (CIC) with a similar ambition to TrueSpeed, except they had yet to find the £2m or so of funding needed to achieve it.

Apparently Wansdyke sold its business (we’re not sure what exactly that would have constituted) on to TrueSpeed in April 2015 (TrueSpeed itself was only setup in January 2015), with the new operator similarly planning to run its Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP/H) network into the Chew Valley area.

Evan Wienburg, TrueSpeed CEO, said:

“The experience in Wansdyke Telecom has been invaluable in designing and organising a truly world class, ultra fast network. The support of local communities, and the need for access to life-changing internet connectivity across the region, remains at the heart of what we do. Our original investors have all joined the company as have three former directors, Dr Josef Karthauser, Matt McCabe and myself.

We have been extremely busy. We have built a strong and experienced management team, and we have formed strong relationships with strategic partners. Stand by, we will be making some exciting announcements in the coming days.”

Crucially TrueSpeed appears to have secured enough funding that they’re now able to start taking the project forward, focusing at first on deploying to areas which have the largest demand (rollout map). The initial roll-out looks set to include communities and towns from Bath itself through to Corston, Newton St Loe, Compton Dando, Woollard, Publow, Pensford, Belluton, Stanton Drew, Stanton Wick, Chew Magna and Chew Stoke.

As part of that TrueSpeed has just signed a vital new deal with Hibernia Networks, which will give the operator access to Hibernia’s cable ducting that runs through the middle of TrueSpeed’s proposed network route.

Hibernia Networks is currently installing a new Hibernia Express submarine cable system that will provide a high capacity, low latency fibre optic path between New York and London (connecting Halifax, Nova Scotia and Brean to Chippenham, UK). The build includes ducting across Wiltshire and Somerset.

Bjarni Thorvardarson, CEO of Hibernia Networks, said:

“We realize that the communities surrounding the Hibernia Express cable route have experienced disruption over the past few months. Hibernia Networks is proud to be partnering with TrueSpeed, as our relationship better enables TrueSpeed to deliver broadband connectivity to the affected communities. This connectivity results in enhanced network access to Somerset and Wiltshire’s thousands of residences and businesses.”

The news has already been welcomed by one local MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg, perhaps not least because it won’t require additional state aid like the wider Broadband Delivery UK programme with BT. Never the less there are still plenty of unanswered questions concerning funding.

TrueSpeed says they’re backed by individual shareholders living in North East Somerset, although the ISP is currently still fundraising for the initial roll-out and hope to commence work during the Summer 2015 period. Never the less it’s not clear how much funding has already been secured or how much would be required to complete the build.

But perhaps understandably the service itself won’t come cheap. At present the cheapest residential package being touted is a symmetrical 100Mbps connection, which apparently includes a “phone line” (not clear if they really mean VoIP or not), and will set you back £47.50 per month. Residents who live locally should probably register your interest.