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News archive: Timeline for B4RN

November 29th, 2011
Author: Chris Conder
Tags: timeline
Posted In: Archive News

The timeline is deliberately aggressive and short because the time to do future-proofed Gigabit Fibre To Every Home is NOW. The cost of delays in deploying FTTH have already cost this country untold billions of pounds in economic, social and environmental benefits. B4RN has been set up to once-and-for-all resolve the problems that are being faced in rural areas and prove that there is an economically viable and replicable path for the 30% of rural UK known as the Final Third. 

The Final Third has been identified as suffering market failure for future years of superfast broadband deployment by industry. Yet, our business plan would seem to contradict that notion that rural areas must suffer.  It demonstrates a superior alternative and commercially viable method of solving the digital divide for 20+ years to come is achievable.This is a community effort. We, as much as any other resident of this area of Lancashire, are acutely aware of what is being asked of everyone. So, we ask you to think about the project and talk over with family and friends the level of commitment that you are willing and able to take to support this project.

This community can lead the way for many other rural businesses, farms, and consumers who want to see the job done once, and done correctly.

(There are archives of the previous timeline on the old b4rn website if other communities wish to see the order in which the timeline has worked)

December/January

  • Share launch

2012

Spring

  • Time to start digging! First, the core network and digital village pumps will be installed. We anticipate, weather permitting, that this will take approximately 3 months.
  • Train all teams for digging, fibre installation and fusion splicing.
  • Connect all properties in Phase 1. 72,000 metres of trench along 11 routes will be required to connect the first 339 properties across 8 parishes.
  • Connect all 983 properties along 26 routes totalling 182,086 metres of trench.
  • Ongoing design of Phase 2

Summer

  • Expressions of interest and marketing to Phase 2

Autumn

  • If sufficient interest, begin the roll out of FTTH to 1781 properties across 14 further parishes.
Winter
  • Weather dependent, complete roll out across Phase 1 and more on phase 2
2013

Spring

  • Weather dependent continue roll out 
  • Second share issue
  • Ongoing design of further phases depending on interest shown by them.
Summer
  • Expressions of interest and marketing to Phase 3
Autumn
  • If sufficient interest, begin the rollout of FTTH to 2059 properties across a further 4 parishes.

Gavin And Belinda Second Nature Smallban

Stories from out in the field from our very happy customers

One residential customer in Over Kellet used to know whether it was worth firing up her computer by looking out of her front window to see what the weather was doing with her telephone line.

Customer Testimonial

We juggle two jobs from home, and it’s just been a game-changer. Just sign up! It’s the best internet service I’ve ever received, and I’ve moved a thousand times!
Georgiana, Dentdale
It has allowed us to improve our farm business through the implementation of Wi-Fi heat detection ankle bands on our herd, and thus improving our business productivity.
Heather Whalley, Farmer
OMG it is amazing! I don’t want to go back to London, which was faster than here, but not now! Just to say a BIG THANK YOU to all you guys, what a great thing you are doing. I’m shocked not everyone is signing up!
Customer in Norfolk
After lambing 1300 ewes a good film is what I want to watch and because we have B4RN that is no problem. Just enables me and my family to get on.
Farmer (Anonymous)
It’s like going from a Ford Anglia to a jet engine!
Jackie Frankland, Rathmell

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