Frequently Asked Questions

A speed of 2Mbits/sec would be an improvement on what we can currently get and for some uses would work well. But there are several things that would still work poorly at 2Mbits/sec, including TV catch-up, internet-based phone services and downloading films and files.  It’s also likely that even if the government does deliver on this promise, our communities will be at the back of the queue. And the technology used means it would not be possible to get faster service for a long time unless we do something ourselves.

While today in Monyash, a 13Mb podcast typically takes 2½ minutes to download, a speed of 2Mbits/sec would mean it takes just 36 seconds.  A 1.2GB film that today takes 3¾ hours to download, if it downloads at all, would take 55 minutes, and if speeds were up at 30Mbits/sec, would take just 6 minutes. Of course it’s impossible at this stage to know what download speeds might be achievable and it’s not all about download speeds anyway. Equally important are the services that become possible with better broadband like TV on demand, telephone over internet and social networking.

You should be able to get Internet-based phone services, but this project will have no effect on mobile phone reception. 

You should be able to use BBC’s iPlayer, 4OD, ITV Player and other streaming services.  The broadband project won’t bring cable TV to the area.

No. Either your existing line will be used in some way, or if that’s not feasible then you would have a wireless connection.

It might do.  We’re talking to prospective suppliers about how they can reach outlying premises and what the cost would be.

You certainly will be able to but the practicalities and the cost will depend on the technology that is eventually chosen.

Almost certainly.  This will depend on how suppliers respond to our Invitation To Tender, but we would expect a two-year term.  It’s just possible some suppliers might offer one year, but we’d be surprised if that were the case.