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Tove Valley Superfast Broadband: Bridging the Digital Divide

Join the TVB project led by ABbA Limited for high-speed internet in rural Upper Tove Valley, South Northamptonshire, England. Witness the evolution from satellite to fiber broadband, transforming internet connectivity in the area. Learn about the challenges faced and the community-driven efforts to secure faster internet speeds. Discover the impact of superfast broadband on over 350 members, creating a digital revolution in the region.

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Tove Valley Superfast Broadband: Bridging the Digital Divide

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  1. Tove Valley Communities Superfast Broadband (TVB) A project led by Abthorpe Broadband Association (ABbA) Limited on behalf of the rural area of the upper Tove valley in South Northamptonshire, England. 2

  2. Welcome A very brief history : 2003 – No ‘broadband’ so installed a satellite system – 50 members 2007 – ADSL available – 60 members 2013 – 100/100Mbps Fibre and radio – 100 members 2015 – 1000/1000Mbps fibre and radio – 300 members 2017 – 600 members Slides are colour-coordinated

  3. Getting Started It all began in 2003 when the only internet service was by dial-up – giving 0.024Mbps if you were lucky.There was no prospect of ADSL (‘always on’ broadband) being available in Abthorpe.The ABbA concept was to get our own satellite connection to the internet and distribute the service by WiFi at roof-top level to houses.

  4. The Satellite link Trials with domestic ‘Buffalo’ 2.4Ghz equipment with external antennae (some home-grown) were carried out with sufficient success to install a satellite data link in March 2003 Bonjour Bruxelles!

  5. 2003 - 2007 Satellite connection costs £300/m (around 2Mbps) Initially 12 members paying £25/m Within 3 months, 25 members paying £15/m Reached 50 members, subs dropped to £5/m 2 years of free broadband (not-for-profit status) 2.4Ghz WiFi distribution & satellite service is fragile In 2007 we adopted 3 ADSL lines

  6. 2007 - 2013 Even 2 Mbps is no longer enough iPlayer, ITV player and other on demand TV applications, Netflix, Love Film, YouTube, on-line gaming ADSL services providing 2 to 4Mbps on each line then shared out Real option for individuals to get their own ADSL No prospect of Abthorpe getting faster internet in the foreseeable future For ABbA it was change or die

  7. Could we make a case for Superfast Fibre Broadband? More complex economics and infrastructure would demand more revenue so we must expand our area 5Ghz Wi-Fi should work but much more complex geography The communities of Abthorpe, Bradden, Slapton, Wappenham, Weston and Lois Weedon were canvassed to participate – a catchment area of 450 houses

  8. Would the finances work? 100/100Mbps fibre leased line would cost £1100/m Would need to get 100+ members paying £10/m and charge for membership and installation (£100+£75) The communities of Abthorpe, Bradden, Slapton, Wappenham, Weston and Lois Weedon were canvassed to participate – a catchment area of 450 houses. After gate-crashing coffee mornings and parish meetings it became obvious there was support.

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  10. Building Commitment 450 premises; 280 are businesses or homeworkers Generating commitment Leaflets and flyers Village meetings and local events Website and registration MP endorsement Local publicity, local radio, About my Area 200 households and businesses signed up It was a “Go”!!

  11. Get organised! Marshal the volunteers Proper detailed project plan Well thought out cash-flow projections Document every bit of support evidence Build support website Start negotiating for grants and loan finance

  12. Organisation Salient Facts Abthorpe Broadband Association Limited Not-for-profit Captures the attention of the communities. limited by guarantee Members are liable to pay £1 each in the event of the Company failing. Run by volunteers No employees nor PAYE nor VAT – simple accounts. Get support Community, Church, District, County, DEFRA, DCMS

  13. Expertise required Business experienced Ring-leader The Geek The Quidnunc (look it up) Aspiring Millionaire (will be still aspiring if not expired at the end of the project)

  14. Projects get changed…. • 2012 we submitted an expression of interest to BDUK / DEFRA and were ‘approved’ (Phase 1 £80k project) • 2013 our plans were seriously changed after discussions with BDUK, due mainly to EU controls, to a Phase 2 £250,000 project • Late 2013 with no movement from BDUK, we initiated the Phase 1 £80k project self-funded. • 2014 after threats that the ‘full’ project could not be completed due to weather, harvest, etc. if go-ahead was not given by March 2014, we got the green light.By March 2015 we completed on time. Tove Valley Broadband – 19 September 2013

  15. Phase 1 – self funded PHASE 1 £80k 100/100Mbps backhaul on BT tails (6degrees) Radio ‘pipes’ between villages Access points in villages giving better than superfast (30Mbps+) using WiFi radios (5GHz) to most premises Over 400 premises could be served By September 2013 - 175 members Radio pipes beginning to be overloaded.

  16. Phase 1 costings (incl. VAT)

  17. Phase 2 – 50% grant from BDUK PHASE 2 £250k 1000/1000Mbps backhaul direct to London (FibreOptions). 2500Mbps fibre between villages – 12.5km 12-core blown through 14mm tube. (NLD/FibreOptions) Access points in villages giving better than superfast (30Mbps+) to all premises (MSDist) By March 2015 - 350 members

  18. Phase 2 costings (incl. VAT)

  19. TVB Project Conclusions 100/100Mbps bandwidth per 100 membersThis bandwidth throughput is when membership reached 400 Line-of-sight rule for Client’s connections

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