Airband full fibre rollout update – 26th January 2023
Introduction
This briefing updates on progress on Airband’s contracts with Connecting Devon and Somerset to deliver full fibre broadband to communities across Devon and Somerset. It includes some alterations to build dates.
Background
The full-fibre broadband industry continues to face national and international pressures affecting recruitment and retention, supplies and civil engineering capacity.
Over recent months Airband has been reworking its plans for the CDS region to adjust for labour market challenges experienced that are slowing design and build of the new fibre network. Airband has now produced a set of revised build plans covering Taunton, West Somerset, East Devon, Mid Devon, Exeter, Teignbridge and the South Hams.
These plans have been agreed with CDS and BDUK (Building Digital UK).
CDS has worked with Airband to minimise any delays as far as possible and ensure that the new proposed build schedules will complete no later than the end of 2024. CDS is working closely with Airband to drive this along and increase the pace of delivery.
Lot C
Staplegrove and Monkton. This cluster serves 645 in-contract premises. To date, there have been 72 out of 122 poles installed and 39 out of a required 43 Km fibre deployment have been completed. 549 premises are now able to order a fibre service, with 89 of these connected or awaiting installation. Estimated build completion – Mid Spring 2023.
Stogumber to West Bagborough. This cluster serves 593 in-contract premises. To date, 25 out of 65 poles have been installed and 27 out of 74 Km fibre deployment completed. Premises will start to be able to order by the end of year, with estimated build completion by Spring 2023.
Cotford St Lukes. This cluster serves 852 in-contract premises. To date, 23 out of 82 poles have been installed and 28 out of 53 Kms completed. 67 premises are now able to order a fibre service, with more being able to order by the end of year and with estimated build completion by Spring 2023.
Lot E
Tiverton to Nomansland. The first build cluster in Lot E (E3) covers premises from west of the Exe in Tiverton out to Nomansland, encompassing Calverleigh, Withleigh and Cruwys Morchard. This cluster is almost entirely complete, with 537 of 559 rural premises now being able to order a fibre service, and with 177 already having done so.
Halberton to Bradninch. This cluster serves 599 in-contract premises. To date, 39 out of 122 poles have been installed and 40 out of a required 91 Kms have been completed. 196 premises are now able to order a fibre service, with 31 of these connected or awaiting installation. Estimated build completion – early winter 22/23.
Budleigh Salterton to Ottery St Mary. This cluster serves 818 in-contract premises. To date, 32 out of 216 poles have been installed and 33 out of a required 107 Kms completed. Estimated build completion – Summer 23.
Axminster. This cluster serves 755 in-contract premises. To date, 16 out of 157 poles have been installed and 8 out of a required 69 Kms completed. Estimated build completion – Spring 24.
Rousdon to East Lyme. This cluster serves 453 in contract premises. To date, there have been 37 out of 154 poles installed and 30 out of a required 55 Kms completed. Estimated build completion – early Autumn 23.
Lot F
Powderham. This cluster serves 479 in-contract premises. To date, 9 out of 15 poles have been installed and 32 of a required 39 Kms have been completed. The majority is completed, with one critical wayleave awaited to finish build. 116 premises are now able to order a fibre service, with 28 of these connected or awaiting installation.
Bishopsteignton and Luscombe. This cluster serves 1033 in-contract premises. To date, 39 out of 65 poles have been installed and 30 of a required 54 Kms completed. 239 premises are now able to order a fibre service, with 33 of these connected or awaiting installation. Estimated Build completion – Autumn 23.
Rattery. This cluster serves 1098 in-contract premises. There are 104 poles that need to to be installed and 75 Kms required to build. Airband are currently waiting on some critical wayleaves within this area to progress. Estimated build completion – Summer 23.
Berry Pomeroy. This cluster serves 1157 in-contract premises. To date 49 out of 132 poles have been installed and 19 out of a required 44 Kms completed. Estimated build completion – February 23.
Next steps
The next phases of build commencing shortly are:
Lot C
• Bridgwater to Huntspill. Serving 1210 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – Spring 24.
• Westonzoyland. Serving 480 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – early Winter 23/24.
• Ruishton to Stoke St Gregory. Serving 1201 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – late Autumn 23.
• Taunton. Serving 1029 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – Summer 23.
• Neroche. Serving 768 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – Autumn 23.
• Greater Wellington. Serving 1072 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – end Autumn 23.
Lot E
• Sidmouth, Gittisham, Colyton. Serving 1613 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – Spring 24.
• Exeter to Silverton. Serving 3070 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – Summer 23.
Lot F
• Dartmouth. 719 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – end Summer 23.
• Dawlish. 846 In-contract premises. Estimated build completion – end Summer 23.
• Stover. 754 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – Summer 23.
• Marldon and Combe Fishacre. 610 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – Spring 23.
• Roborough to Elfordleigh. 138 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – May 23.
• Thurlestone to Salcombe. 891 in-contract premises. Estimated build completion – end Summer 23.
Engagement and further info
The Airband community engagement team is contacting parish councils to offer updates and provide answers to any further questions.
Revised build dates can now be found on Airband’s website. These dates will be updated monthly as required.
For CDS contact: matt.barrow@devon.gov.uk
For Airband contact: community.engagement@airband.co.uk