Another 2,500 homes and business across Devon and Somerset are now able to access full fibre broadband thanks to the ongoing rollout through the Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) programme.
Internet Service Provider Airband has announced the latest figures as it continues its gigabit capable fibre build in the region on behalf of CDS.
Access to the live network is now available in the Cheddon Fitzpaine area of Taunton in Somerset, as well as premises in some areas of Exminster, Kenn, Kennford, Kenton, Powderham, Starcross, Teignmouth and Tiverton.
Splicing and testing of fibre is being carried out in Bathpool, Bishops Lydeard, Calverleigh, Cotford St Luke, Cruwys Morchard, Monkton Heathfield, Nomansland, Norton Fitzwarren, Puddington, Staplegrove, north west Taunton, Tiverton, Tolland, West Monkton and Withleigh.
Build is due to be completed in the coming weeks in Bere Alston, Clovelly, Crapstone, Hartland, Langtree, Lewtrenchard, Lifton, Milton Abbot, Milton Combe, Powderham, Starcross and Tavistock, as well as remaining contracted areas of Exminster, Kenn, Kenton, Powderham and Starcross.
Elsewhere, build is underway in Abbotsham, Ashcombe, Berry Pomeroy, Bishopsteignton, Bradninch, Butterleigh, Collaton St Mary, Crowcombe, Cullompton, east of Tiverton, Halberton, Higher Blagdon, Holcombe, Sampford Peverell, Stogumber, parts of Taunton, parts of Teignmouth, Totnes and West Bagborough.
Design is being carried out in Abbotskerswell, Axminster, Bishops Hull, Blackpool Corner, Buckfastleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Churchill, Cockwood, Colaton Raleigh, Combpyne, Clyst St Mary, Dartington, parts of Dartmouth, Dawlish Warren, Dean Prior, East Budleigh, Farringdon, Galmpton, Hatch Beauchamp, Henlade, Higher Batson, Holcombe, Hope Cove, parts of Kingsteignton, Knowle, Mamhead Park, Marsh Green, Newton Abbot, Salcombe, South Knighton, Staple Fitzpaine, parts of Stoke Fleming, Stoke St Mary, Teigngrace, Thurlestone, parts of Topsham, Totnes, Tytherleigh, West Buckland, West Hatch, and Wyke Green.
Survey work has also begun in a number of communities including Alfington, Beaford, Beer, Colyton, Compton, Dainton, Gittisham, Marldon, and parts of Sidmouth.
Redmond Peel, Director of Airband, said: “We are passionate about levelling up rural communities’ access to ultrafast broadband – and this has been our mission since the day Airband was founded. We understand the frustration with long term, substandard broadband, and are working with CDS to bridge the digital divide as quickly and as cost effectively as possible. We have made good progress with the rollout so far and will always seek to speed up the rollout to areas in need wherever this is possible.”
Councillor Rufus Gilbert, CDS Board Member and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said:
“It’s excellent news that thousands more homes and businesses now have access to full fibre broadband and it highlights the progress being made by Airband on its rollout across Devon and Somerset. The network is continuing to expand into more communities and even more areas will gain access to an ultrafast connection in the coming months.”
Councillor Mike Rigby, CDS Board Member and Somerset County Council Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said: “It’s encouraging to see that Airband’s Full Fibre rollout on behalf of CDS has provided access to thousands more homes and businesses, and more will be delivered over the coming months. Communities right across Somerset and Devon are earmarked for coverage and I’m sure residents and businesses will be keen to benefit from this rollout of ultrafast Full Fibre broadband that would not be possible without investment through the CDS programme.”
Karl Tucker, Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP, said: “Investing in digital infrastructure is vital in helping the South West level up, so it’s fantastic to see the recent progress made to bring full fibre broadband to another 2,500 homes and businesses. We are delighted to be supporting the rollout with the LEP’s Growth Deal funding, as part of our aims to promote inclusive growth and connectivity across the Heart of the South West.”
CDS has delivered superfast access to more homes and businesses than any other broadband programme in England, with over 315,000 premises receiving access to superfast broadband as a direct result of investment by CDS. Airband has delivered broadband access to more than 22,400 homes on behalf of CDS.
A map of coverage areas and a postcode checker for communities in Airband’s contracts with CDS is available on Airband’s website.