The work Wildanet is doing in the area is part of the UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme to upgrade the digital infrastructure across the UK and enable hard-to-reach communities like yours to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband. Having the fastest broadband means households no longer have to battle over bandwidth, people enjoy the freedom to live and work more flexibly, businesses increase their productivity, and vital public services thrive. Having the fastest connections also means the UK is fit-for-the-future, with broadband infrastructure designed to deliver for people’s needs for decades to come.

Wherever possible, Wildanet will always seek to use existing infrastructure when installing the new Full Fibre network. This helps to minimise disruption and allows us to use existing poles or underground ducting in your area. However, there are occasions when this is not always possible and, where we are not able to utilise any existing infrastructure to facilitate the provision of the new network, we need to install new infrastructure.

The Openreach infrastructure that Wildanet uses has often been in situ for decades and isn’t always in good condition. During the survey phase of the build Wildanet does test, rod and roping. This entails putting a rod into existing ducting to try and thread rope through the duct. If it’s possible, the fibre will be installed this way. If it is blocked, every effort is made to unblock it. If this isn’t possible, then excavation is required to install new ducting or add an overlay. Currently around 70% of the build uses existing infrastructure and 30% is new build.

When Wildanet does test rod and roping and finds a blockage, it must reinstate and make the highway/footway safe. Then it must contact Openreach and ask for permission to repair or replace its ducting. Once permission is obtained, streetworks under permits issued by the Highways Authority.

There is a list of addresses available that will be able to access full fibre internet as part of the Building Digital UK Project Gigabit infrastructure build once Wildanet’s construction in the parish is finished. (Please contact the clerk if you would like to see the list), I anticipate that this should be by late 2024 early 2025.  If your address isn’t on the list, you may be getting service from Openreach or have not yet been identified as part of a contract by UK Government. Wildanet cannot answer any questions about premises it is not building to or share information about future government plans as it does not have these.

Customer Service – 0800 0699906 or hello@wildanet.com