Update on Airband’s UK Devon and Somerset Full Fibre Rollout

The Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) programme has today issued a new post-summer progress update on ISP Airband‘s ongoing rollout of a new Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based ultrafast broadband (100Mbps+) network in the two counties, which ultimately aims to reach an extra 40,150 premises.

Just to recap. Back in 2020 Airband scooped a number of full fibre deployment contracts across the Devon and Somerset region in England, which included the £25.5m state aid supported Phase 2 CDS contract for 37,500 premises (here) and the earlier Fibre Extension Programme (FEP) contract for c.6,200 premises (here).

Work on the FEP deployment has been going on for a while, but build under the Phase 2 CDS contract only started fairly recently (they aim to complete that before the end of 2024). Overall, Airband has already provided “superfast broadband” (30Mbps) access to more than 18,700 homes and businesses across the two counties, but we suspect that figure may include their earlier Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) build too.

Summary of Progress in Devon

Construction on the new FTTP network is getting underway this month (September 2021) in parts of Devon including Ashley, Calverleigh, Frogwell, Hensleigh, Loxbeare, Lurley, Nomansland, Pennymoor, Puddington, Tiverton, and Withleigh. Work is also due to start in Abbotskerswell and in the Dainton and Marldon area next month.

In addition, pre-build survey work is currently ongoing in Bridgetown, Buckfastleigh, Crabbers Cross, Dartington Hall, Diptford, Harbertonford, Mill Cross, Rattery, South Brent, and Staverton. Surveys are also scheduled to be undertaken in Berry Pomeroy, Blagdon, Littlehempston and Totnes.

An additional 6,230 premises in earmarked areas of North Devon, Torridge, West Devon and central Devon will be provided with access to full fibre by September 2022 under pre-existing contracts with CDS, and survey work has been completed for the remainder of this network build.

As part of that construction is also underway in Abbotsham, Bideford, Croyde, Braunton, Bishop’s Tawton, Barnstaple, Bratton Fleming, Goodleigh, Molland, East Anstey, Meshaw, South Molton, Great Torrington, Langtree, Crapstone, Lewtrenchard, Lifton and Weare Gifford. It is also due to start later this month in Instow.

Network design is in the latter stages for Tavistock and also progressing in Kings Nympton, Chulmleigh, Dolton, Halwill Junction, Hatherleigh, Northlew, Jacobstowe, North Tawton, Taw Green and St Giles on the Heath (construction is expected to begin in these areas by next summer, subject to securing the necessary wayleaves from landowners and that’s always a tedious subject).

Summary of Progress in Somerset

In Somerset, construction is getting underway this month in parts of Adsborough, Bathpool, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Monkton Heathfield, Staplegrove, and West Monkton. Surveying is currently ongoing in Ash Priors, Bishops Lydeard, Cotford St Luke, phase 1 of Lydeard St Lawrence, Norton Fitzwarren, and Tolland, with construction due to start by the end of the year.

Surveys are also scheduled to be undertaken in Taunton and Neroche. Network design is also progressing for areas of Bicknoller, Combe Florey, Elworthy, phase 2 of Lydeard St Lawrence, Sampford Brett, Spaxton, Stogumber, West Bagborough, and West Quantoxhead.

Redmond Peel, Director of Airband, said:

“At Airband, we passionately believe that rural communities should have access to the same level of high-quality connectivity, and therefore opportunities, as those in urban areas. This is a huge step towards closing the digital divide and delivering industry leading connectivity to those who need it most.”

Councillor David Hall, CDS Board Member, said:

“It’s great to see Airband starting its construction work on the next phase of our programme so that more communities and businesses can gain access to faster broadband speeds. Gigabit capable fibre broadband is essential for our businesses and communities, and we’re committed to ensuring that rural areas in Somerset and Devon are not left behind.”

Overall, this marks good progress for the project and, when combined with the contracts that CDS have also previously signed with rival ISPs Truespeed and Wessex Internet, an additional 56,000 rural homes and businesses across Devon and Somerset should now gain access to full fibre broadband by the end of 2024.

Admittedly, this will still leave a fair gap left to fill, but that’s something the Government’s new £5bn Project Gigabit programme may be able to help tackle. Meanwhile, customers of Airband’s service typically pay from £30 per month for an unlimited 100Mbps (25Mbps upload) package (plus £99 installation) on an 18-month term and that rises to £37 per month for their top 250Mbps (50Mbps upload) tier.