Just over a couple of weeks on and I’d thought I’d drop everyone a line... My ISP have now moved me over to a superfast broadband deal and I’m getting speeds of around 50Mbps down and 18Mbps up, which has made a massive improvement to our experience. A few have been asking me if the speed will just improve, however it’s important to note that you will need to either contact your current internet service provider (ISP) to ask them to move you to a superfast plan or find a new ISP to give you one. It then typically takes a week before you are moved over to superfast which is when the speed increases. Hope that helps!

It's taken almost two years since many of you joined me in the Rosebird Community Hall back in March 2018 and this week we finally have superfast internet available to us!! I have just today contacted by current ISP to upgrade my standard internet to superfast, internet who have estimated in around 7 days I will be getting download speed of around 50Mbps... What a massive improvement from the current 2.5Mbps I currently get. Thank you all for your continued support to get us this far and help improve the broadband speeds for our community!

I had an update on Friday from Openreach with progress, I’ve summarised below: “We have contacted the project team to ask for an update on your Community Fibre delivery. They’ve advised they’re still in the build stage of deployment, the cabinet has now been placed and powered. They’re currently awaiting on the fibre and copper cables to be completed. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the project team are hopeful that fibre will be delivered to your Community by the agreed contractual date of January.” This is great news that we are now almost there!! Openreach advised they will be in touch in the next few weeks to provide a further update. Fingers crossed!

A number of you have dropped me a line for updates, please rest assured I am emailing most weeks to check on progress... I’ve had an update this week on progress, although no updates on timelines. “After the cabinet is stood there is still some work to be done. We need to power the cabinet and also have that certified by the power company. Once the fibre is ready to order we will let you know and you can cascade this to your community.” Hopefully I get the update soon that we are ready!!

It’s been a few weeks since my last update and a few of you have been in contact for updates... In the meantime I’ve been reaching out to Openreach for updates and yesterday received word of progress!! After resolving a wayleave issue the project team have given an estimated completion date for the cabinet to be stood of mid-October. They have also said that the power should be connected at the same time which is good news. Once the cabinet is stood Openreach will be back in touch to provide an update and the next steps. The contract we signed had a delivery date of Jan 2020 and they are still on target for this, however I hope they can deliver sooner. Not long now until we have the internet sorted 👍🏻

A few of you have contacted me recently for an update and today I've had some good news from Openreach. The Infrastructure Solutions team have informed me the project is now into the build phase and their engineers have started work on the exchange!! As we’ve only just moved into the build phase they have informed that the current information available is limited and they will be back in touch in around 6 weeks’ time with a more substantial update. Equally I've also found details on the Stratford upon Avon E-Planning site showing details of the planned works; https://apps.stratford.gov.uk/eplanning/AppDetail.aspx?appkey=PQ5IJEPM0IH00

I know you are all as keen as I am to know when fibre will be ready. I've had a further update this week Openreach... "As we near completion of the survey stage we'll soon be releasing work instructions to our contractors to commence the 'build' phase. During the build phase you'll see your new fibre cabinet being stood, before power can be installed. You might see our teams working in the footway boxes along your street as they bring the fibre cable through the underground ducts or overhead on telephone poles. For some installations, putting the equipment in position might cause a bit of disruption with traffic diversions and closed pavements" All very exciting now we are so close! I'll be keeping an eye out and let you know if I see the work starting.

Progress... Today I've been contacted by the Community Fibre Partnership Team at Openreach. They have been liaising with their project team who have advised the survey is due to be completed tomorrow. They confirmed once this is complete and returned we move into the planning stage. The team will be back in contact with me in around 6 weeks when hopefully they will have a more substantial update and timescale.