December 2020
Update from the Openreach Community Fibre Team
"I'm writing to give you an update on your community funded FTTP Project in Henbury and I am pleased to say that we are making good progress, and the survey and planning work is complete. We are now in the build stage of our deployment where we can actually start to install the fibre network and associated infrastructure. You might see our engineers working nearby but they could also be working anywhere on the route from your community back to the local telephone exchange.
We will be in touch with you again in the next few months as we get nearer to the go live date, however I just wanted to let you know that as it stands, we are on track for your go live date in March 2021".
More information for those who signed up to the scheme
1. Fibre Providers
One of the conditions of the broadband voucher you received from the Government, is that you will subscribe to a fibre product for 12 months with a minimum speed of 30mbps. We are often asked what speeds are we likely to have here in Henbury once the scheme is completed. The expectation is that we will have up to 320mbps, though it may take some time to get to that speed for a number of technical reasons. Many fibre providers offer a range of speeds up to around 160mbps with a few offering an even higher speed such as BT who offer a 920mbps connection. This would allow you to download an HD film in around 34 seconds.
Additional Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) providers have come online recently, with Talk Talk and Sky being the latest larger entrants.
Click on this link to view the current list of FTTP fibre providers, from where you may go to each provider for more information.
2. Broadband Contract
If your broadband contract is shortly up for renewal, then you should discuss with your provider that you will be switching to a FTTP fibre connection from around mid-march 2021. BT, SKY and TALK TALK are the most common providers we found in the area, and it is normal that they will allow you to upgrade with minimal cost. You should check for yourself, and ensure that this is possible and that you can be on a fibre product no later than mid may 2021 as this is a requirement of the scheme. This allows two months from the current planned rollout date. In some cases we have found that the latest fibre products are cheaper than existing connections depending on the options you select.
3. Modem and Router location
Closer to the rollout stage Openreach will be in contact with you to discuss the connection of your property to the network. This may be by pole or underground conduit depending on your current connection. Fibre routers require a mains power connection where they enter the house. This is because the fibre has a modem that then connects to your router. Some may recall in the early days of broadband this was a similar arrangement. There are a number of different modems used by Openreach but they will all have rechargeable batteries in them that will give you an hours network connection in the event of a power cut. Be aware though, as is now the case, that any hands-free phones won't work in the event of a power cut.
We will keep you up to date with additional information in the coming months, and in due course it maybe that we will look to arrange presentations in the Church Hall should the need arise.