Unfortunately, despite our frequent requests, BT has refused to use its Openreach programme to upgrade Cabinet 9 at Wellfield which acts as the hub for broadband provision in our patch.
As this is a commercial scheme we have no control over when and where BT chooses to upgrade its service so we have asked for advice from the Digital Durham team at county hall on an alternative method of broadband access for our area until BT get around to upgrading Cabinet 9.
We have reproduced Digital Durham's response to our query in full below (part of which has been published previously on this site):
We’re currently looking at a potential phase three for Digital Durham to address the remaining properties that are eligible to be subsidised under the programme. We’d anticipate for information to be available towards the end of 2017. Outside of this, and BT’s commercial roll-out, there are two schemes currently available – detailed below. We would appreciate it if you can push out this information to residents and businesses through any local channels you have at your disposal to increase awareness of these potential options.
Better Broadband Subsidy Scheme
Following the Government’s committment to provide access to a
minimum of 2 megabits per second (Mbps) download speeds, a broadband subsidy
scheme has been launched to help eligible residents.
The scheme allows residents to apply for up to £350 towards the
hardware and installation costs to get connected to broadband using wireless
technologies including satellite, 4G or Mastband. Eligible residents will still
be required to pay any additional costs such as the monthly service charge
which starts from £10 for a basic broadband service. The costs increase with
the more data required.
The vouchers can also be clubbed together to offset the costs for
BT’s Community Fibre Partnership programme (detailed below).
The guides are attached. Further information and the application
form is available at: http://www.digitaldurham.org/better-broadband/
BT Community Fibre Partnerships (CFP)
Residents could considering a self-funded fibre broadband
installation through BT’s Community Fibre Partnership (CFP). BT subsidise 60% of the costs. BT
recommend the community to raise the remainder through crowdfunding. The Better
Broadband Subsidy Scheme vouchers can also be used to offset the costs. The
most significant benefit to CFP is that it can expedite a solution.
