BT and CSW Confirm Next Areas of Warwickshire to Get “Fibre Broadband”

The BT (Openreach) and the CSW Broadband project, which aims to make “superfast broadband” (24Mbps+) available to around 98% of premises in Warwickshire, Solihull and Coventry (England) by the end of 2019, has today revealed the next batch of roll-out locations.

We should point out that the 98% target above reflects both the original contract (the next goal is 94% coverage by the end of 2017) and several additional extension agreements. Today’s news reflects Part 2 of Contract 2, which aims to reach 3,500 extra premises by the end of 2018 and is supported by £2 million in public funding clawback from the first contract. A third primary contract is currently hunting for suppliers.

So far more than 58,000 properties (227,000 if you include BT’s existing commercial “superfast” network or 241,000 for their raw “fibre based” footprint) have benefited from the roll-out and the estimated coverage level for “superfast broadband” currently sits at around 92%.

Today it’s been revealed that homes and businesses in parts of Wibtoft and Copston Magna, Baddesley Clinton, Corley Ash, Church Lawford, Danzey Green, Upper and Lower Shuckburgh will be among the next areas to see an upgrade. Apparently the new FTTC/P network in this phase of the roll-out will start to be available for the first time from the middle of 2018.

Councillor Kam Kaur, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation, said:

“There are teenagers today who have never known life without the internet. They take it for granted that they can stream video and music, book holidays and concerts, work from home – and have access to all of their school or college information and carry out research just as though they were in the classroom. This announcement means that more of our historic villages will be able to benefit from the same services.

Because we are now reaching some of the most rural areas, the residents and businesses will really see the benefits of not having to drive in order to carry out the most basic of tasks – so the project will benefit the environment as well!”

Colin Bannon, Chair of BT’s West Midlands Board, said:

“The pace of the CSW Broadband roll-out is enabling the partnership to bring the benefits of this exciting technology to even more people, regardless of where they live. From Little Shuckburgh to Stratford-upon-Avon, we’re extending the reach of the technology across the county to ensure more households and businesses can benefit.”

The original Contract 1 was worth £15.47m (£5.67 million from BT and the rest from public sources), while Contract 2 Part 1 came to £10.73m (£2.61m from BT) and the future Contract 3 is currently valued at around £15m to £20m.