Connecting Dartmoor & Exmoor – Community Briefing: Introduction Connecting Dartmoor and Exmoor is a programme to deliver superfast broadband using wireless technology to some of Dartmoor and Exmoor’s most remote rural areas. The programme is led by Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS), a partnership that has come together to bring superfast broadband (24 Mbps and over) to places that would not otherwise have been connected by commercial providers. CDS Phase 1 The first phase of the Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) programme will increase superfast broadband availability to around 90% of homes and businesses in Devon & Somerset, by the end of 2016. This phase is being delivered by BT Group and is well on track to meet that target. As of the end of June 2015, Phase 1 of Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) had passed the halfway mark in its rollout of superfast fibre broadband with more than 180,000 households and businesses in the two counties now having access to fibre broadband as a result of this programme. During Phase 1 the National Park Authorities and CDS worked in partnership to secure additional funding through the Rural Community Broadband Fund to extend the initial reach within the National Parks. Combined with the core programme, Phase 1 is estimated to have extended superfast broadband to around 75% of premises on Dartmoor and 69% on Exmoor. CDS Phase 2 Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) wants to go further and ultimately connect all premises in Devon and Somerset. The next step on that journey will be to extend superfast to around 95% of homes and businesses. Earlier this year, CDS announced it had unlocked the full amount of Government‐matched funding, giving the programme an extra £45 million to invest in extending superfast broadband. This is the largest amount allocated to any local broadband programme in England. In recognition of some of the unique challenges presented by Dartmoor & Exmoor, CDS took the decision to run a separate open procurement exercise to find a delivery partner for the two National Parks, supported by Dartmoor & Exmoor National Park authorities. Connecting Dartmoor & Exmoor with Airband In June CDS announced that Airband had won the contract to deliver superfast broadband in the National Parks for this next phase of the programme – Connecting Dartmoor & Exmoor (CDE). Based in Worcester and founded in 2002, Airband is a specialist in high speed wireless broadband for rural areas. Overall, it will be responsible for delivering improved broadband speeds to some 5,800 homes and businesses through fixed wireless access networks for Dartmoor and Exmoor. Airband will be running their own procurement & recruitment processes to ensure that much of the work on the ground is carried out by local suppliers. Where? Connecting Dartmoor & Exmoor covers the same area as that encompassed by the National Park boundaries. What is it? Overall, phase 2 of the CDS programme is aiming to extend superfast broadband coverage to 95%. It is anticipated that Connecting Dartmoor & Exmoor will extend superfast broadband to 87% of premises within its area, with the remainder gaining access to at least 10 Mbs. Surveying is currently underway to determine what speeds will be possible and where. Airband will be delivering superfast broadband using wireless technology, similar to Wi‐Fi. This will involve deploying technologies designed to overcome physical conditions such as trees, hills or structures. This works by passing a signal from a radio on a transmitter or mast to a radio attached to the final building. A cable then takes the connection into the building allowing the end‐user to connect to the internet the same way as via fibre or an ADSL connection. Aside from its flexibility, the other main benefit of fixed wireless is that there is no need to dig up roads and lay cables to connect with the exchange points. In addition, fixed wireless has the added advantage of quicker deployment times and lower install costs. The end user experience of those using the wireless technology is very similar to that experienced by those using a fibre connection, including the ability to use Virtual Private Network, VOIP (e.g. Skype) and real‐time online gaming. When? The timetable for activity is as follows; During August & September, Airband staff will be conducting a detailed survey of both Dartmoor and Exmoor, analysing strength & coverage patterns alongside transmitter locations to enable them to design a network solution that best meets the needs of residents without significant impact to the protected landscape. All areas not currently covered or under evaluation by phase 1 are being considered – including those on Exmoor with the Satellite Internet Pilots. Around early October Airband will submit detailed planning applications for the siting of transmitters and repeaters ‐ once complete, we will be in a position to answer questions. In October & November we will embark on a series of open meetings in your communities, to provide information on the project, explain what opportunities it offers you and your community and to answer any questions. Once the technology is in place, residents and businesses can then choose from a number of providers. It’s important to note that connection won’t happen automatically but customers will be able to take up a service with a supplier that best meets their needs. Finding out more With an exciting project such as Connecting Dartmoor & Exmoor, there are bound to be some concerns felt by residents. The programme of community events from October onwards is designed to provide in‐depth answers to any questions that people may have. In the interim, you may find the following helpful; What landscape impact will it have? The networks will include radio transmitters on a range of furniture including existing commercial masts, new telegraph poles and some new masts. The new masts are considerably smaller and more discrete than those generally required for mobile phone infrastructure. Airband has considerable experience in introducing these into the landscape sympathetically with little visual impact. They are working closely with planners and specialists at both the National Park Authorities to achieve the best possible network solution for our protected landscapes. Are there any health implications? There has been considerable research done into this question and all the evidence has shown that there are no links between radio waves and problems with health. In fact in a study by WHO they found that the body absorbs up to 5 times more of the signal from FM radio and television than from fixed wireless base stations such as Airband will be using. To find out more visit their report HERE. What is the difference in service between fibre, fixed wireless and satellite? Superfast Broadband is being delivered across the rest of the region using a fibre connection accessed via a standard telephone land line, at speeds of <24 MB/s. The Airband fixed wireless system will be delivering speeds of at least 30 MB/s for the majority of premises, with an uplift of 10mbs for the remaining. Like fibre, Airband’s fixed wireless technology has no problems with latency (delay) on the connection. A satellite system has to bounce the internet signal up to space and back again, the longer the length of time the radio waves take to travel cause issues with latency which make it more difficult to use satellite broadband to play action games or applications that need instant transmission. Do I have to get my service direct from Airband? No, other service providers as well as Airband will be able to use the fixed wireless network to offer a superfast service / package to customers. What if I still can't get a superfast service? ‘Connecting Dartmoor and Exmoor is being delivered as part of Phase 2 of the Connecting Devon & Somerset project. The remainder of the CDS area is now the subject of an open procurement to deliver Phase 2. CDS are actively seeking funding for a third phase. What can I do to help? Spread the word ‐ this project will deliver clear & demonstrable benefit to the residents and communities of Dartmoor & Exmoor. Tell people in your community, your family or at work about ‘Connecting Dartmoor & Exmoor and get them to start thinking about ways in which they could benefit from superfast broadband. Although Airband’s surveyors are working hard to identify the most effective range of sites, if you feel you can help identify potential sites and can liaise with landowners, please get in contact with us. Offer a transmitter or repeater a home if requested / approached by Airband ‐ Consider allowing the siting of transmission equipment on land that you own or is in your control. Talk to us If you have any queries, please do get in touch and ask us, either by email or by picking up the phone and giving us a call. For more information about the Connecting Dartmoor & Exmoor programme, contact Matt Barrow, Stakeholder Engagement on 01392 382221 or via [email protected] or visit http://www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk/dartmoorandexmoor/ For Exmoor enquiries, phone 01398 323665 / DTJames@exmoor‐nationalpark.gov.uk For Dartmoor enquiries, phone Jo Rumble, Communities Officer on 01626 832093 or via [email protected] or http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk. For queries about the way the surveying is being conducted or to check whether an individual is a bona fide member of the Airband surveying team, then contact Dan Jones or Roger King at Airband on 01905 676121 .