Faster Broadband internet should be with us within a few months. Whilst we are not going to get the fibre connection direct to our homes (which gives the fastest possible internet) we should still see a speed increase.
The network upgrade will provide a very fast fibre connection to our local 'cabinet' at Wingrave crossroads. From there the internet will come to your house via the existing copper telephone wires (as it does now).
The downside to what is proposed is that whilst we should get faster
download speeds,
upload speed will still be quite slow. This means that streamed video will be faster, but things like two-way video Skype will not be so much improved.
Note that the email below suggests speeds of
up to 24Mbps - currently Openreach suggest we get
up to 16 Mbps, although few can achieve that. Hopefully the new ADSL2 network will perform better.
The email below from the county broadband manager explains the current position. Expect faster speed to be available probably
as an upgrade from March or April. It is yet not known if there will be an increase in costs, but you
may have to replace your router. The availability may also depend upon who supplies your internet service.
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... it is set to be a busy year with works
progressing well and activity in the Wing exchange area imminent, or
already underway.
The
latest delivery data at my disposal suggests that the new fibre
cabinets should be in place by the end of February/early March,
incorporating the installation of the unit and connecting it to a power
supply and fibre optics. Thereafter,
the commissioning process will ensure that the fibre cabinets are
connected to necessary systems, meaning that Internet Service Providers
can then recognise the cabinets as 'live' and begin offering services to
customers.
In
terms of Aston Abbotts and Rowsham, it appears that both are served by
cabinet 7. This is located near the Wingrave crossroads.
In
relation to speeds achieved in the two villages; this will be
determined by distance from the fibre cabinet. Using Fibre to the
Cabinet technology, Openreach suggests that superfast speeds (24 Mbps or
greater) should be achievable
at distances of 1.2 - 1.5km away from the cabinet, as this relies on
the existing copper connection to homes and businesses. For Aston
Abbotts, the prospects look good, given the distance to cabinet 7. For
Rowsham, there is a bit more uncertainty as the
village is on the extremity of the distance threshold, meaning lower
speeds are possible. For the latter, I will need to query our Openreach
Network Manager as he will be able to make more accurate assumptions
with his data and network tools.
In
terms of nearby villages; Cublington (cabinet 6) and Wingrave (cabinet
5) should be well served by the fibre broadband upgrades.
The
latest information continues to be published on the Connected Counties
website, which I would encourage you to monitor for progress....
