Completed Project Updates

Q. What is FTTP?

A. FTTP means “Fibre To The Premise”. Fibre (optic) cable can carry huge amounts of broadband data over large distance with very little resistance. At the moment you receive your broadband through your existing phone line which uses copper wire. Copper is a poor conductor of the broadband signal so the further you are from the exchange, the slower the speed. One way of improving the speed is to run a fibre cable from the exchange to a cabinet somewhere nearer to your house, then the copper phone line completes the connection. This is a compromise solution – the speeds are faster, but still depend on how far away the cabinet is. By far the fastest solution is for the fibre cable to enter your house (FTTP) and connect directly to your router. The speeds are almost unlimited – up to 1,000 mbps are presently available.

Q. Looking at the list of houses due for upgrade, I can see that the cable passes close to my house but I’m not included. Why?

A. Unfortunately it’s not that simple. Openreach can’t just branch the cable at will. They build in an expensive bit of hardware called a “node” every 2 km or so to allow for side-shoots. Engineering and geography decide where the nodes go. Sorry if you’ve missed out. It may seem unfair but it is just bad luck. The scheme is designed to upgrade the worst areas and sometimes a few other houses have been picked up because they can be added cheaply.

Q. SCD’s letter says “Openreach has offered to build Fibre to the Premise broadband (FTTP) into about 135 properties.” What does “build” mean?

A. Openreach insist we use that word rather than “install.” It must have some technical meaning, but it just means that Openreach will run the fibre cable to your house, usually using the existing telephone poles, then into your house, if possible using the same route that the telephone line uses. In the worst case scenario, they will have to drill a half-inch diameter hole in the outside wall. They are experienced at this and will seal the hole afterwards and do a good job.

Q. What is our present speed? We can have several devices running at times and very rarely do things go slowly. Why change if we have things working well?

A. Google “FREE BROADBAND SPEEDTEST.” Your speed largely depends on where in Strathdearn you live. The best answer to “Why should I do this, I already have adequate broadband” is “Because you’ll regret it if you don’t.” It’s like being offered the chance of mains water supply plumbed into your house and saying, no I’m fine, I’ve got a well in the garden.” This isn’t about matching what you’ve already got, this is about future-proofing your house for the next 20 years, and raising its value!

Q. What will our speed be? The illustration talks of 70mbps to 150 mbps? These are just numbers and give no indication if it is better or worse than what we presently have.

A. Most houses included in the scheme have speeds of 10mbps or less. If you agree to the FTTP connection, you can choose a ‘basic’ package of about 50mbps for about £30-35 per month (suitable for most present needs), with the option of upgrading to much higher speeds if required in the future (and sure as eggs is eggs, your broadband needs WILL increase.

Q. Will we have to use BT as service provider?

A. There will be other service providers than BT. As soon as the network is connected and working several other broadband providers will offer contracts – PlusNet, Zenn, SSE, EE, and more.

Q. This sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch?

A. There’s no catch. Through a combination of good luck and our past relationship with Openreach, Strathdearn has been offered a golden opportunity to become one of the best-connected rural communities in Britain. I genuinely believe that those who turn down this opportunity to be connected for free to a fibre cable network will soon regret it. Remember, all we require of you is to sign up for a 12 month contract. At the end of 12 months you can revert to your previous broadband contract if you wish. All it will have cost you, if anything, is a few pounds per month (x12) extra and you will have obtained a free connection directly to the fibre network which would probably cost you thousands if you could find anyone willing to install it. And your house is worth more.