UPD B4RN Target First 1Gbps Broadband Rollout in Lancashire for March 2012

The Broadband 4 Rural North (B4RN) scheme, which aims to connect thousands of homes in northern Lancashire UK with an affordable “hyper-fast” 1Gbps (Gigabits per second) capable fibre optic ( FTTH ) broadband service via shared community involvement and funding, has hinted that the first deployment could begin this month.

The non-profit project is understood to have “well and truly surpassed” its first funding target, which has put it firmly on the path towards deployment. “This possibly brings the date of the first dig into March (depending as usual on the weather),” said the providers latest newsletter.

B4RN’s Newsletter

“The route mappers are out doing their stuff, please join them at 10am at the tea rooms in Wray on Saturday (3rd March) if you want to help. They are going to map the people in the village who have registered and they will come and help in your village too.

Please start to think about where your property will connect to the fibre. Garage, office, lounge, utility room? How do you want the fibre routing? Where are your buried utilities? Do you know where your septic tank is? All this information needs to be logged and the routes finalised. We have equipment to find the services if you don’t know where they are, so don’t worry, but all the information you can give to the route walkers makes our job easier.

We have equipment to go under any surface, cobbles, flags, concrete or tarmac, so minimal disturbance for landscaping. We can do aerial or we can bury the ducting in your garden. Your help in deciding is crucial, so please give it some thought over the next month.”

The update cautioned that “fundraising needs to continue!” if B4RN is to reach its goals, although they’re definitely making progress. An official date and time for the first dig is due to be announced soon, although it will then take up to three months before the first customers/villages can be connected.

UPDATE 15th March 2012

Professor Barry Forde has confirmed that the digging itself will begin at an event on March 31st 2012, which will be held at Jubilee Tower (Quernmore) and start at 1pm (2pm Grand opening ceremony, 3pm tea and cake). OMG they have cake.