Airband Update on Full Fibre Rollout in Devon and Somerset UK UPDATE

The state aid supported Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) programme and UK ISP Airband have today issued a new winter 2022 progress update on their project to deploy a gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network across the region, which aims to reach tens of thousands of rural premises.

The programme actually reflects two ongoing contracts with the provider, which includes the £25.5 million Phase 2 CDS contract for 37,500 premises (here) and their earlier Fibre Extension Programme (FEP) contract for c.6,200 premises (here). Work on the newer Phase 2 contract is expected to complete by the end of 2024, while FEP was due to complete last year.

So far, the new network has already gone live in many areas in and around Barnstaple, Bratton Fleming, Braunton, Croyde, and Goodleigh, with teams still working to complete the contracted coverage in some of these areas. The next areas to join this list in North and West Devon will, from March 2022, include parts of East Anstey, Great Torrington, Langtree, Meshaw, Mortehoe, South Molton and Weare Giffard.

Airband’s Devon Deployment Progress

➤ It is anticipated that sections of the network will be completed and ready for testing by the end of March. This includes Ashley, Calverleigh, Frogwell, Hensleigh, Loxbeare, Lurley, Nomansland, Pennymoor, Puddington, Tiverton, and Withleigh, as well as the area from Exminster to Kenn and Kenton to Starcross, and communities in Berry Pomeroy, Bishopsteignton, and Luscombe.

➤ Airband teams are also busy deploying fibre and splicing joints in Abbotsham, Bere Alston, Bideford, Clovelly, Crapstone, Fairy Cross, Gulworthy, Hartland, Instow, Milton Combe, Tavistock and Teignmouth.

➤ Before fibre can be rolled out, cabinets are installed and powered up in key locations of the network. This is being carried out in Cheriton Bishop, Colebrook, Hatherleigh, Jacobstowe, Lewtrenchard, Lifton, Monkokehampton, Northlew, North Tawton, Okehampton, and Taw Green in the coming weeks.

➤ Survey work is nearing completion in Bridgetown, Buckfastleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Crabbers Cross, Dartington Hall, Dartmouth, Diptford, Harbertonford, Mill Cross, Ottery St Mary and Rattery, and the information returned to the design teams will be used to refine plans ready for construction. Surveys are also scheduled for Berry Pomeroy, Blagdon, Littlehempston and Totnes in the next few weeks.

➤ Ahead of the fibre deployment, Airband’s teams check ducting, clear blockages and erect any poles that may be needed. This will be taking place over the next couple of months in Bradninch, Cullompton, and Halberton.

➤ Design work is continuing for the planned network in Chulmleigh, Dolton, Halwill Junction, Hatherleigh, Jacobstowe, Kings Nympton, Northlew, North Tawton, St Giles on the Heath and Taw Green. Construction is currently on schedule to begin in these areas in the summer, subject to securing the necessary access from landowners.

➤ Airband’s design teams are preparing plans for East Devon areas near Axminster, Gittisham, Seaton, Sidmouth, and as far as the Dorset border. In Teignbridge and the South Hams, Airband is designing new connections to Collaton Fishacre, Dartmouth, Dawlish, Marldon, Salcombe and Thurlestone. Survey teams will be handed these plans in April.

The CDS team noted that “every effort is being made to minimise disruption during this work” and existing infrastructure is used wherever possible to run new fibre (e.g. Openreach’s underground cable ducts and overhead telegraph poles). However, some road closures will be needed in certain areas, such as when new poles or trenches have to be built.

Likewise, not everybody has been happy to see their deployment of new poles (here), but that’s a common issue for other fibre developers too.

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 Rufus Gilbert, CDS Board Member (Devon County Council), said:

“Airband is covering a huge area of Devon and Somerset in the current rollout of fibre broadband and I’m pleased to see they’re making great strides to increase coverage across the CDS region. Thousand more homes and businesses in many of our hard to reach communities will get the Gigabit capable broadband access they need and deserve.”

However, the new update failed to mention how many premises had actually been completed, so far, for each contract. The original FEP contract was due to finish by the end of 2021, so it’s possible that they may still have a few areas left to complete on that one.

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, which rises to £75 per month for their top 900Mbps (200Mbps upload) tier. The latter comes with free installation and two Linksys Mesh WiFi routers, instead of the usual one.

We should add that rival UK ISPs Truespeed and Wessex Internet are also busy deploying FTTP under separate Phase 2 CDS contracts. Admittedly, these contracts won’t reach all the poorly served areas that remain in Devon and Somerset, but that’s something for the UK Government’s new £5bn Project Gigabit programme to help tackle.

UPDATE 23rd Feb 2022

Confusingly, CDS actually put out two updates for Airband’s build yesterday, split between one for Devon and the other for Somerset, albeit both with the same subject title (we assumed it was a duplicate). The one above focused on Devon, so we’ve added the bit for Somerset below.

Airband’s Build Progress in Somerset

➤ Cabinets have been installed and powered up to the north of Taunton and work is on track to provide live connections by April in Adsborough, Bathpool, Monkton Heathfield, Priorswood, Staplegrove, Upper Cheddon, and West Monkton.

➤ Work is being carried out to ensure the existing ducting from Norton Fitzwarren to Bishops Lydeard and beyond to Ash Priors, Fitzhead and Tolland is clear of obstructions in readiness for the deployment of fibre. After this, they will be progressing further north and west to Bicknoller, Combe Florey, Crowcombe, Elworthy, Lydeard St Lawrence, Sampford Brett, Spaxton, Stogumber, West Bagborough and West Quantoxhead.

➤ Plans are currently being finalised for the rollout of fibre to the centre of Taunton and the areas south as far as West Buckland. Designs are also being drawn up for the villages to the east of Taunton, including Hatch Beauchamp, Henlade, Pitminster, Staple Fitzpaine and Stoke St Mary. Survey teams will shortly be heading out to these areas to assess what existing infrastructure can be used.