The work has started across Norfolk and is in phases. Those of interest to us are:
Phase 1, Oct 13 - Mar 14
Letheringsett, Thornage
Phase 4, Jul 14 - Dec 14
Holkham, Wells
Phase 5, Mar 15 - Sep 15
Morston, Wells, Sharrington
Phase 6, Jun 15 - Sep 15
Blakeney
Phase 8, Jul 15 - Sep 15
Wells
Phase 9, 2015
Wells appears 3 times because the town is served by 3 different 'Head Ends' - like main terminal for broadband. Langham is served by the 'Main Head' at Holt.
No sign of Langham there yet. There will be a survey in Spring 2014 to include Binham, Langham, Field Dalling. What we need is there to be ducting carrying existing cables, room in the ducting and for it to be clear of silting. There is a lot of buried cable around but this cannot be used for fibre. We need a direct cable to Holt as it is not possible to daisy chain cabinets.
If we are lucky to have ducting available we have passed the first hurdle. We then need a low voltage pick-up for the new cabinet which has to be within 50m of the existing cabinet (the new cabinet is powered the old ones are not).
If all goes well and we get our superfast broadband then homes within 1.25km of the new cabinet can expect speeds in excess of 24kb/s, those at 2km should get 10-15kb/s and those at more than 2km the speed drops off fairly quickly. The distance to the cabinet may be longer than you expect as the telephone system has grown up over time and some routing is rather convoluted.
If we get the connection then it will be up to individual customers to contact their providers for the best connection.
We will learn more at a follow-up meeting in October but if we learn anything before that it will be in the minutes of the Parish Council and on the Langham website.
I am grateful to Marie and Karen for their time and effort with this whole project.
Any errors in the information given are mine.
Dave