UK village builds FTTH network

Saturday, 14 August 2010 14:37

NextGenUs UK CIC and AFL Telecommunications have announced the installation of a community interest owned fiber to the home (FTTH) network. Residents of Ashby de la Launde, a small village in Lincolnshire, will soon be able to install 100-Mbps fiber-optic broadband into their homes via the FTTH network. Nearly 60 homes and three businesses have started on-site digging to connect to the FTTH network to be installed around the village. The project involves the community working together to establish a privately funded network. “NextGenUs UK CIC is a founder member and supporter of a campaign (www.finalthirdfirst.org) to encourage government to improve the delivery of broadband services to rural areas,” commented Guy Jarvis, chief executive of NextGenUs UK CIC, a community interest company that provides next-generation access and USC services to communities in mainly rural areas of the UK. “We see the benefits of high-speed internet in every aspect of our modern lives and it has arguably become the fourth utility. Unlike urban areas, which represent a commercially viable investment to large telecommunications companies, the rural communities in ‘NotSpot’ and ‘SlowSpot’ areas with fewer subscribers won’t receive the same level of investment.” The UK Government’s “Big Society” drive and the opening of access to backbone networks will result in more local communities taking advantage of the NextGenUs/AFL partnership to create future-proof local networks safeguarded by CIC regulations, the companies believe. When communities become fully engaged and active in the project, costs can be minimized, they assert. Now that the project has begun, expectations are that it will be complete by the end of September. Both NextGenUs UK and AFL plan to continue working together in support of other rural communities looking to benefit from fiber-optic networks. Visit NextGenUs UK CIC Visit AFL Telecommunications