Joint Programme Update: Airband contracts in Devon – September 17th, 2021
Summary
• Broadband connections for 58,128 homes and businesses in Devon and Somerset in total have been delivered or are in plan including new full fibre contracts.
• Airband has delivered superfast access to 11,744 homes and businesses in rural areas of Devon via a wireless network under contract to CDS.
• Anticipated completion of all contracts between now and September 2024
• Construction gets underway in communities across Devon this month (see below).
• Survey work is underway in several communities (see below).
• Airband’s website now includes a list of the community areas covered by the new contracts, the anticipated completion dates and a map* of the coverage areas.
• Airband is developing an online premise level checker for communities covered by all CDS
contracts, new and pre-existing, which will be published later this month (September).
*The map shows the CDS contract areas that Airband is working in. However, please note this does not mean all premises in these areas will be connected through these contracts. Although CDS seeks to connect as many homes and businesses without superfast* broadband (minimum
30Mbps download) as possible not every premise can be included within the public funding available. Premises to be covered will be confirmed following survey.
Introduction
On December 23rd Connecting Devon and Somerset, with support from Government, signed new contracts with Worcester-based Airband to deliver full fibre broadband to 40,154 homes and businesses in earmarked areas of Devon and Somerset and require the construction of an estimated 2,419 miles of fibre network. Delivery will be in phases between 2021 and 2024.
Under pre-existing contracts with CDS, Airband has already provided a superfast wireless network for 11,744 homes and businesses and is due to deliver full fibre superfast connectivity to a further 6,230 by September 2022 in Central Devon, North Devon, Torridge and West Devon.
This involves the construction of 800 miles of fibre network.
Progress
Airband will be installing fibre broadband in communities in Devon in the coming weeks as part of the ongoing CDS broadband rollout.
Network design is in the latter stages for Tavistock and also progressing well in Kings Nympton, Chumleigh, Dolton, Halwill Junction, Hatherleigh, Northlew, Jacobstowe, North Tawton, Taw Green and St Giles on the Heath. Construction is currently on target to begin in these areas
in Spring/Summer 2022 subject to securing the necessary wayleaves.
Construction is 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.
Construction is due to get underway this month (September) in Ashley, Calverleigh, Frogwell, Hensleigh, Loxbeare, Lurley, Nomansland, Pennymoor, Puddington, Tiverton, and Withleigh. This construction was due to start in August and has been rescheduled due to the time required to secure critical wayleaves.
Construction is also due to start in Instow this month (September). Elsewhere, work that was expected to start in Abbotskerswell and in the Dainton-Combe Fishacre-Marldon area in August has been rescheduled to October due to findings at the survey stage. Work has also been delayed in Kenton and Starcross.
Airband anticipates these delays will not affect the overall completion of contracts. CDS and Airband will keep stakeholders updated on progress.
Survey work is continuing in areas across Devon earmarked for coverage. This work will enable Airband to confirm the best build route and timescales for the installation of Gigabit capable fibre broadband.
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 in the next few weeks.
On the ground activity is also continuing in areas across Central Devon, North Devon, Torridge, and West Devon earmarked for coverage. These investigations will enable Airband to confirm the best build route and timescales for the installation of Gigabit capable fibre broadband.
Further information
Airband: Will Harnden, will.harnden@airband.co.uk, www.airband.co.uk
Connecting Devon and Somerset: Matt Barrow, matt.barrow@devon.gov.uk,
www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk
Connecting Devon and Somerset
Programme Update – Airband contracts in Devon
September 17, 2021