Clawback Boosts Dorset UK’s Coverage Plan for BT Fibre Broadband

The state aid supported Superfast Dorset project in England has revealed that a combination of roll-out savings and strong take-up (clawback) have resulted in an extra 800+ premises in 31 areas being added to 2017’s local roll-out plan for Openreach’s (BT) FTTC/P based “fibre broadband” network.

At present the existing scheme has already made related superfast broadband (24Mbps+) networks available to 90% of premises in the county (here) and they’re now busy working to make the “fibre broadband” network available to 97% of local homes and businesses by the end of 2016 (around 95.6% can expect to receive 24Mbps+). We wouldn’t be surprised if this slipped into 2017.

Back in February 2016 we also revealed that the clawback (gain share) mechanism in related Broadband Delivery UK linked contracts, which requires BT to return part of the public investment when take-up of the new service passes beyond the 20% mark (Dorset is currently at 26%), should return “almost“ £2 million for use in further expansion of the new connectivity.

On top of that “efficiencies in delivery” from the Phase 1 contract (e.g. using more FTTC instead of FTTP) has also pushed some public money back towards boosting future coverage. As a result BT has today confirmed that more than 800 additional premises in 31 areas have just been added to Dorset’s roll-out plan for next year.

The new announcement also clarifies that both the clawback and savings “together are worth more than £1 million” (so not quite “almost £2 million“?). Many of the communities listed below will be getting FTTC/P for the first time, although some already have a bit of access and will thus be seeing an increase in their existing coverage (infill).

In total during 2017, more than 4,000 Dorset premises will be provided with access to “fibre broadband” as a result of the Superfast Dorset programme.

The 31 Communities
Kimmeridge
Winfrith Newburgh
Moreton
Higher Bockhampton
Lower Bockhampton
Waddon
Askerswell
Broad Oak
Drimpton
Corscombe
East Chelborough
Yetminster
North Wooton
Bagber Common
Moorside
Manston
East Orchard
Hartgrove
Fontmell Magna
Sydling St Nicholas
Up Cerne
Minterne Magna
Tarrant Launceston
Witchampton
Holt
Horton
Sixpenny Handley
Lytchett Matravers
Arne
Buckhorn Weston

The Dorset County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, Colin Jamieson, said: “Under its initial contract with BT the Superfast Dorset programme receives a refund if take-up reaches a certain point. As this has been achieved, the money will be used to extend the network to areas previously outside the planned coverage area which is great news.”

“Investing public money in fibre broadband helps sustain our rural communities and maintains Dorset’s competitive edge as a business destination. It also allows homeowners to do things that need a faster internet connection like accessing skills and learning, entertainment and other social connections.”