Clent Community Ultrafast Broadband Project Update and Action Needed January 2021

Dear Resident / Business Owner 

Your Parish Council is undertaking a Community Ultrafast Broadband Project, which is supported by the Worcester County Council Superfast Worcestershire Broadband Team – superfast@worcestershire.gov.uk.

If successful, this project will bring a broadband fibre connection to all premises in Clent. This is known as ‘Fibre to the Premises’ (FTTP). It will digitally future proof homes and businesses as well as enhancing their values.

FTTP will offer speeds of up to 1,000 Mbs (depending on chosen package) and the Parish Council is looking to utilise Government grants to pay for the required work. Access to the full fibre technology would therefore offer a digitally future proofed solution and speeds many times faster than the current infrastructure is able to. More information about the scheme is available here: www.gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/rural.

Your Parish Council has already started the process for all premises (less those few already in a scheme) – 576 in total. Worcester County Council Superfast Worcestershire Broadband Team is calculating the final costs in conjunction with Openreach. If sufficient premises agree to take part in the scheme this upgrade should come at no cost. Businesses can claim up to £7000 and homes up to £3000.

To claim the grant each home/business must enter a minimum 12-month contract with an FTTP supplier of which there are many (see www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband/fttp-providers for a list of FTTP suppliers). Prices are very similar to non-FTTP prices. Also, the package must be at least 30Mbs download or faster and at least double your current speed. You can check your download speed with www.checker.ofcom.org.uk/broadband-test.  Your existing copper line will be retained in order to maintain your telephone service and to allow you to revert to a non-FTTP contract should you wish. This is very unlikely given the benefits of fibre over copper.

This is the first of a few leaflets. If you would like to know more please contact Councillor Andrew Beaumont who is leading the project on behalf of Clent Parish Council, with your contact details, and indicate whether you are a “business” or a “resident”.

Councillor Andrew Beaumont

Tel: 01562 887750 or 07899 707238

Email: beaumontdrew@aol.com