Exciting times - within the next couple of weeks we will be able to begin the "Pledging Process" which is where households that fall under the Phase 1 scheme can pledge their vouchers for the work to be carried out. From the feedback that I have had going door to door, we will have more than enough households and businesses pledging their vouchers towards the scheme. The portal will remain open for 3 months, however, the aim is to get enough people to pledge their vouchers much sooner than that.
In answer to a couple of questions raised over the various socials:
Q1) When BT offered me their Infinity broadband several years ago I paid extra to get faster speeds. Will there be extra charges for the Gigabit scheme this time round?
A1) BT will offer different prices for access to different speeds. This will not change when you can access Gigabit speeds. The faster the speed, the more you will pay. However, there will be many options to choose from at many price points. Here is an example below.
This shows the prices of 35Meg, 49Meg, and 61meg today to my address. BT cannot offer faster speeds because our copper phone lines won't run that fast. What you notice is that the price range is £28 to £33 between 3 choices of slow broadband speeds.
When the work is complete, and you pop your postcode into a search to see the services you have available expect to see choices like the one below:
You will notice here that once the upgrade is complete there will be access to 6 BT packages. The first 3 are similar to the ones we can access today. You will then notice that when the work is complete there will be 3 really fast packages available to us which vary substantially - 150meg, 500meg, and 900meg. In this example for £7 per month more, you can raise your internet speed from 74meg to 500meg. Indeed in this example, you would pay £3 per month less if you raised your speed to 150meg.
The message is that once our networks have been upgraded everyone will have more choice. Prices change all the time, however, more choice generally means you will pay a similar price for faster speeds than you are paying today for slow speeds.
Q2) Do you or your BT contacts have any idea what a realistic date for completion of this project is now?
A2) Really good question!. I have been told that once the project "goes to delivery" there will be a commitment to deliver the upgrade in a year. The Phase 1 project has to run through the following stages before the project is complete - and these are as follows:
1) Openreach need to sign off our project internally (expected completion 25th Feb)
2) Openreach Portal opens for people to "Pledge Vouchers". Once we hit the target number this phase is complete (expected completion 19th March).
3) Work to upgrade our network. Openreach will let us know when the build will start - which I will publicize. (Guaranteed completion before 19 March 2023 based on the figures above)
I would hope that the scheme would be complete by the end of this year.
More Q&A...
What is the voucher scheme? | The Government recognise that gigabit-capable, or ultrafast broadband connections offer the fastest and most reliable speeds available. The UK Gigabit Voucher Scheme has been designed to support rural communities who are eligible for funding, team up with a network provider and bring that technology to their doorstep. We are one of the Government’s registered network build providers. More information can be found on the Department of Culture, Media and Sport website https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk |
What type of technology will you be using? | We will be installing Full Fibre, also known as FTTP, FTTH, Ultrafast and Gigabit. |
My neighbour does not want anything to do with this, will he benefit from the scheme? | Your neighbour’s support for the scheme may be important when it comes to achieving the target needed. However if they do pledge their voucher they will be agreeing to the terms and conditions of the scheme. If your neighbour has any questions about the scheme, or is unsure of any aspect, then they can get in touch with us at communityfibre@openreach.co.uk and we will happily go through things with them. |
Will I have any contractual obligations at the end of this? | In order to qualify for a voucher grant, you must agree to sign up with a communications provider of your choice and start enjoying the benefits of ultrafast fibre broadband once the service becomes available. In addition, it must at least double your current broadband speed. https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk. |
Are there any hidden costs? | If your address is eligible for a UK Gigabit Voucher, then the free voucher you are entitled to pledge, will cover your financial contribution of the infrastructure build. You only pay for your installation and broadband contract as you would normally do. |
Can I use the voucher to meet my current broadband costs? | No. The voucher can only be towards the cost of the infrastructure build only. You will have to pay for a broadband package. |
Do I have to order my broadband from BT, or can I choose which provider I use? | Openreach will build an open network, meaning that you can order from a service provider of your choice, assuming they sell in your area. |
How much will the fibre service cost? | Costs will vary depending on the package and the service provider. There are many price comparison sites available to review. |
Do I really need Ultrafast broadband? | The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for stable broadband to support the needs of working or studying from home. Additionally more and more services require Wi-fi or internet connections; TV streaming, doorbells, gaming, security cameras, even washing machines and other domestic appliances. |
I don't really need broadband, can I still pledge my voucher to help the community? | The Government are quite specific. The Terms and Conditions stipulate that you must be prepared to enter into a broadband contract with your choice of provider once the service is available. |
I’ve heard that my broadband can affect my house value, is this true? | Having faster broadband may make your property more desirable, it depends on your market. However one of the most frequently asked questions when viewing a property to rent or buy is in relation to the broadband speed. |
My community is served by the exchange, but I haven’t been asked to pledge my voucher. | If you have become aware of the scheme via your friends and neighbours, you can still visit our website www.openreach.com/connectmycommunity, to check your eligibility, and pledge your voucher. |
Can I still keep my telephone number? | Yes. You can keep your existing telephone number as your phone service will continue to be delivered via the traditional copper network for now. You can however speak to your provider about the alternative options and benefits an ultrafast fibre service can give you. |
I have pledged my voucher, what happens next? | Once the community hits their target, we will collate the pledge information and send it to DCMS. DCMS will then verify the pledges and give us the green light to plan the work. You can get further information here https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/home/how-do-vouchers-work |
How long with this take? | Delivering this type of infrastructure can take up to 12 months |
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