In reply to a post by jayteepics:

between the lines the response doesn't look good at all for us to be included in the 'intervention area' spend clearly it's to do with 'bang for every DCMS/BDUK Buck spent'.

Strictly, everywhere that isn't in BT's self-funded plan *is* in the intervention area (usually called white, but some counties use a different naming scheme). You just might not like the amount of intervention you're going to get.

In the BDUK plans, the target is (nationally) that intervention type A brings SFBB to 90%, while intervention type B ensures a minimum of 2Mbps for *everyone* else. This is the UK government's plan for 2015.

The EU has a separate plan to ensure *everyone* has SFBB by 2020. The UK government hasn't focussed on this yet - I assume because the 2014 (BT) and 2015 (BDUK) plans are all-consuming for now.

I think Suffolk is the only one where I have seen a breakdown beyond those raw figures. They too are aiming at "only" 85% for SFBB, 5% getting between 10Mbps and 24Mbps, 8% getting 5-10Mbps, and 2% getting 2-5Mbps. According to this TBB news story, there's confusion over the timescales there.

In reply to a post by jayteepics:

Connecting Somerset involved fibre enabling schools, public services like surgeries et al. Now it turns out that this is 21CN fibre bespoke for the public services, fibre laid by Openreach under a 7 year contract for SouthWest One.

Are you sure this is really "21CN" and "fibre"? BT's definition of 21CN is really about providing telephony & broadband services from MSAN's - and providing it in a widespread fashion to Joe Public.

What you are talking about sounds like a "private" fibre network for SW1, with the prime aim at connecting council-owned ventures (such as schools, libraries etc).

North Yorkshire have a similar venture known as NYNET. On their website they specifically say that they cannot provide business or residential broadband connections "under state aid legislation".

However, they *do* seem to be able to connect some community hubs, where communities have come together to provide their own internet access (the village of Darley being an example).

North Yorkshire also have EU approval of both their BDUK funds *and* are allowed to make use of EU "ERDF" funds. My reading is that the ERDF funds are specifically for providing business connectivity within the white intervention area, and I think they are allowed to use NTNET for this if BT don't have fibre themselves in an area.

What we have however been told is that if BT / Openreach were to succeed in the negotiations with ConnectingDevonandSomerset for the intervention area infrastructure enablement then it would be up to BT/Openreach to decide whether to exploit their fibre infrastructure to fibre enable us by blowing more fibre through the existing fibre ducting. It turns out the only player left in the counties negotiations is BT/Openreach (Fujitsu having pulled out)

This is true, to the extent of BT deciding how to go about hitting the 85% target they are given.

However, the approach to community-led initiatives within the other 15% is still very much down to the attitude of the council (and individual councillors).

Perhaps you should work out how to learn from NY & Darley?

My final request for feedback is this..

Do you think we have any chance from reading the above of getting FTTC in our 4 villages by 2015?

FTTC specifically - No, probably not.
Some form of SFBB? Perhaps, but it looks like you got voted to the job of turning the councillor's attitudes around.

Regarding your doubt expressed about 21CN....

Here is a quote from a reliable source...

"The BT21CN was rolled out across Somerset, through upgrades to local exchanges etc, and is the fibre network on which SomerNet then runs on"

Right.

I just found this page on SomerNet: The first dedicated fibre-optic network for schools anywhere in the Southwest, "The new network will be built on BT�s 21st Century Next Generation (21CN NGA) National fibre optic network."

There are a couple of interesting quotes:
- "All existing sites have been earmarked for either a 10mb, 100mb or 1gb connection based on current usage stats."
- "The SomerNet 21CN has been the commercially compelling reason for BT to consider further investment in Somerset. Southwest One are currently working with SCC and other partners in developing a bid to enable BT to use the new SomerNet 21CN to roll out high-speed broadband across Somerset."

Those speed options suggest that the network is being built using GEA Ethernet access products from BT Wholesale. I found this BT Wholesale page that described both fibre & copper access methods, and mentions VLAN limits "on their 21CN network"

Yes. Without following any links, the infrastructure in question is simply the extension of fibre links to the exchanges, (thus allowing WBC enablement), with customer/council-financed leased fibre spreading to the schools, hospitals, libraries and whatever. Nothing to do with FTTC as such.

It does however mean that each exchange Openreach has a lot of the basics done to roll out FTTC where Openreach wish. I expect in consultation with BT Wholesale.