The current phase of the BT/Superfast Cymru project is scheduled to end in December 2017.

In Ceredigion, for example, there are specific cabs on 6 nearby exchanges where FTTP infrastructure build delays are continually occurring. Initial availability dates stretch back to June & September 2016 and since then have been extended on a 3 months recurring basis. The broadband checkers for all of these cabs currently estimate that a service will be available between �Now & December 2017�. This latest availability date also includes locations where fibre splitters have been installed and connected to fibre but awaiting activation. Other nearby locations are just waiting for installation of fibre splitters and splicing/connecting of the fibre prior to activation.

The usual caveat that BT trumpets to cover for extended delays is: �As long as the engineering build goes smoothly�. Whilst infrastructure delays do occur from time to time, I find it hard to believe that ongoing delays are currently occurring in 6 nearby exchange areas all at the same time. The likely reason is due to due to a lack of experienced staff to complete the final work entailed. This tinkbroadband link: : https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/7760-july-update... suggests it is just a case of bodies being available to do the physical work'.

Not surprisingly, the Office of Elin Jones (AM, Ceredigion) has been inundated with messages from her constituents on the progress of the Superfast Cymru project in Ceredigion. I understand that Elin Jones met Julie James (The Welsh Government Minister responsible for overseeing the Superfast Cymru project) on this aspect and that she promised her that the first 6 months of 2017 would show a marked improvement.

BT has a lot of catching up to do to meet the December 2017 deadline in all rural areas of Wales which are having FTTP deployments under the BT/Superfast Cymru project. Unless they get a move on, I would not be surprised to see the project extended to March 2018.

Reading all of that makes me a lot less confident that my cabinet on the Trelleck exchange will get done before the end of the year.

It looks like you've had a very similar experience to me. Green boxes up on poles for a number of months, cable appearing to be in place. Total lack of transparency with regards to what is happening and when things might happen.

Hello,

Could you please give me some useful emails to contact some one in charge here in the west wales area in regard to broadband. I have recently moved to the area and have no idea who to contact.
I have tried BT, Open Reach and emailed some welsh government email all seem to try and "pass the buck" and dont want to know.

I live in Sarnau towards Penbryn (llangranog SWLGC exchange). My "broadband" is end of line and i only receive 1.2mb internet it is honestly such a pain to live with, I cant use any of my tech devices because they need constant updating, A simple 200mb update can take me 1 hour and we all know how Windows10 like's its updates. This is preventing me from working and earning money, voip has massive delays. Combine that with no mobile phone signal in the area I am truly isolated and reliant on broadband.
I have even looked into the Wide area wireless broadband offerings, but that is a no go as i have no line of sight towards a tower.

I recently checked the "welsh superfast" website and it has been updated to like you said Now and december 2017 but there is fat chance of that.

Any help would be appreciated... really is awful.
[IMG]http://beta.speedtest.net/result/6550743396.png[/IMG]

Edited by deleted (Fri 18-Aug-17 20:40:11)

I have recently moved to the area

So you did not check broadband and mobile access before you moved to the area, you live and learn.

Is your property red on this map? http://lle.gov.wales/map/ngaomr2017?lang=en#m=-4.468...
The map is the Welsh Government NGA white postcode/premises ; if your property is red then your superfast access is later than 2018, if it is not red then you should be in the current (before Mar 2018) rollout.

Ian

As for meeting contract target, what do you think it is?

The usual stated goal is 96% fibre based (VDSL2 or FTTP or cable) and very close to that i.e. looks certain for end of 2017

That is not to say that all FTTP areas or VDSL2 cabinets in the pipeline are going to be finished, but that enough will be done to meet contract targets and some may still be left waiting.

Hi 3rdWorld

The initial phase of the BT/ Superfast Cymru project was completed at the end of June 2016 following which its website and related Facebook & Twitter accounts were deleted and replaced by some pages on the Welsh Government's website.
I suggest you insert your post code and property name/no. into the following two broadband �Where & When� checkers to see whether you are in scope for superfast broadband under the project�s current phase which is due to end in December 2017.

BT/Openreach: https://www.homeandwork.openreach.co.uk/when-can-i-g...

Welsh Govt/Superfast Broadband: https://beta.gov.wales/go-superfast/can-i-get-it

If these checkers indicate that you are in their plans to get a fibre connection, they should indicate what type of technology (e.g. FTTC or FTTP) is to be deployed and the current progress of its roll out, if any, on the fibre journey. Let us know what it reports?

There is also an email contact enquiry point on the Welsh Governments website at: [email protected] but they can be quite slow to respond and invariably only advise you what�s being indicated on the �Where & When� checkers listed above.

If superfast broadband will not be available to you in the near future, you may be able to get connected via the Welsh Government�s �Access Broadband Cymru Scheme�, refer: https://beta.gov.wales/go-superfast/not-available-ge...

I know of two wireless broadband ISPs in this part of Ceredigion who may be able to provide you with a fast connection. They are:

Dyfed IT - http://www.dyfedit.co.uk/wireless-broadband-how-to-a...
ResQNet: http://www.resq.co.uk/

Re the lack of mobile phone signal in your area: attempts are being made to improve coverage as per: http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2016/03/wales-u...

EE seems to provide the best signal in this region. If you are on EE but cannot get a signal, or only a weak one at best, try getting them to send you a signal box. I have got one of these devices which is plugged into the back of my broadband router and it has boosted the mobile phone signal from 1 bar to 5 bars. Other mobile phone operators may provide similar devices but their success may depend upon the quality of your current broadband connection.

I hope the information provided is helpful?

Thanks for link Ian, According to this it is not in the red. Lets wait and see!

Good news Broadbean2 it is stating that some of the homes in my area will be receiving fttp "in scope". I shall keep you all informed on this outcome.

Thank you for your links too.

According to Ians post my property will be receiving it, does this mean they have to do it then or could it just be we say we are but we are not going too?

From what I have seen travelling around the counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion & Pembrokeshire, BT still has a lot to do in the next few months to finish the FTPP deployments that it has already started. Most, if not all, of the remaining work required just seems to be waiting for fibre splitters to be installed on poles and then connected up and activated. As alluded to in your article at: https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/7760-july-update... the delays in completion in some areas in Wales may just be due to a lack of bodies being available to do the physical work.

Assuming the 96% fibre-based contract looks certain to be achieved by the target date of end of December 2017, I wonder what will happen if some roll out areas in Wales, currently progressing towards completion, are not finished by that date? Would BT �down tools� and claim job/contract done or will common sense prevail and they carry on working into 2018?

For information, this link provides details of the Fibre Journey: https://www.homeandwork.openreach.co.uk/when-can-i-g...

In saying that some of the properties in your area will be receiving FTTP �in scope�, does this not include yours?

If the �Where & When� checkers for your post code and property name just report �Your area is currently in our plans to be upgraded with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)� but does not give any date, then work is very unlikely to begin in the current roll out phase which is ending in December 2017. Therefore, you will need to email the contact enquiry point on the Welsh Governments website at: [email protected] for further details.