Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Tove Valley Communities Superfast Broadband (TVB)

Similar presentations


Presentation on theme: "Tove Valley Communities Superfast Broadband (TVB)"— Presentation transcript:

1

2 Tove Valley Communities Superfast Broadband (TVB)
A project led by Abthorpe Broadband Association (ABbA) Limited on behalf of the rural area of the upper Tove valley in South Northamptonshire, England. 2

3 Welcome A very brief history :
2003 – No ‘broadband’ so installed a satellite system – 50 members 2007 – ADSL available – 60 members 2013 – 100/100Mbps Fibre and radio – 100 members 2015 – 1000/1000Mbps fibre and radio – 300 members 2017 – 600 members Slides are colour-coordinated 3

4 Getting Started It all began in 2003 when the only internet service was by dial-up – giving 0.024Mbps if you were lucky. There was no prospect of ADSL (‘always on’ broadband) being available in Abthorpe. The ABbA concept was to get our own satellite connection to the internet and distribute the service by WiFi at roof-top level to houses. BT have just announced that dial up internet is now dead That was the only prospect we had in Abthorpe back in 2003 – BT had no plans to improve our service with an ADSL connection – we were too far from Silverstone exchange A visionary group of villagers devised a plan. A satellite link to the village from a service provider in Belgium. At first we even got Google in French. The service operated at 1.5Mbps download (meteoric speeds in those days) and was distributed by wireless to homes in Abthorpe and Slapton, and one house in Wappenham too. ABbA was born. The service proved popular and was quickly expanded to 60 or so houses (over 40% penetration). And all for just £5 a month. BT enabled ADSL on Silverstone exchange in 2006 and advantage was taken of that to replace the satellite feed with three separate ADSL lines. It provided a boost to capacity as the demand from users was growing. But ABbA was no longer the only show in town; a number of households just took the BT service direct, albeit at about 3 times the cost This configuration has operated successfully ever since. However, the service now provides speeds well below those required to sustain the expectations demanded of broadband services. 4

5 The Satellite link Bonjour Bruxelles!
Trials with domestic ‘Buffalo’ 2.4Ghz equipment with external antennae (some home-grown) were carried out with sufficient success to install a satellite data link in March 2003 BT have just announced that dial up internet is now dead That was the only prospect we had in Abthorpe back in 2003 – BT had no plans to improve our service with an ADSL connection – we were too far from Silverstone exchange A visionary group of villagers devised a plan. A satellite link to the village from a service provider in Belgium. At first we even got Google in French. The service operated at 1.5Mbps download (meteoric speeds in those days) and was distributed by wireless to homes in Abthorpe and Slapton, and one house in Wappenham too. ABbA was born. The service proved popular and was quickly expanded to 60 or so houses (over 40% penetration). And all for just £5 a month. BT enabled ADSL on Silverstone exchange in 2006 and advantage was taken of that to replace the satellite feed with three separate ADSL lines. It provided a boost to capacity as the demand from users was growing. But ABbA was no longer the only show in town; a number of households just took the BT service direct, albeit at about 3 times the cost This configuration has operated successfully ever since. However, the service now provides speeds well below those required to sustain the expectations demanded of broadband services. Bonjour Bruxelles! 5

6 2003 - 2007 Satellite connection costs £300/m (around 2Mbps)
Initially 12 members paying £25/m Within 3 months, 25 members paying £15/m Reached 50 members, subs dropped to £5/m 2 years of free broadband (not-for-profit status) 2.4Ghz WiFi distribution & satellite service is fragile In 2007 we adopted 3 ADSL lines 6

7 2007 - 2013 Even 2 Mbps is no longer enough
iPlayer, ITV player and other on demand TV applications, Netflix, Love Film, YouTube, on-line gaming ADSL services providing 2 to 4Mbps on each line then shared out Real option for individuals to get their own ADSL No prospect of Abthorpe getting faster internet in the foreseeable future For ABbA it was change or die 7

8 Could we make a case for Superfast Fibre Broadband?
More complex economics and infrastructure would demand more revenue so we must expand our area 5Ghz Wi-Fi should work but much more complex geography The communities of Abthorpe, Bradden, Slapton, Wappenham, Weston and Lois Weedon were canvassed to participate – a catchment area of 450 houses The economics are very different this time round. The fibre back haul is a lot more expensive than ADSL We need to put in lot more connectivity and more and pricier equipment We needed more customers and we would have to charge more We would need to expand our area of coverage to get more members Initially we would be using Wi-Fi, so we needed to work out who could see who. Line of site is essential for making things work We need to check the topography. Where is a good central hub The most obvious high point was Wappenham, particularly Wappenham Church tower. It had direct line of site to Lois Weedon, Weston, Abthorpe and Slapton 8

9 Would the finances work?
100/100Mbps fibre leased line would cost £1100/m Would need to get 100+ members paying £10/m and charge for membership and installation (£100+£75) The communities of Abthorpe, Bradden, Slapton, Wappenham, Weston and Lois Weedon were canvassed to participate – a catchment area of 450 houses. After gate-crashing coffee mornings and parish meetings it became obvious there was support. The economics are very different this time round. The fibre back haul is a lot more expensive than ADSL We need to put in lot more connectivity and more and pricier equipment We needed more customers and we would have to charge more We would need to expand our area of coverage to get more members Initially we would be using Wi-Fi, so we needed to work out who could see who. Line of site is essential for making things work We need to check the topography. Where is a good central hub The most obvious high point was Wappenham, particularly Wappenham Church tower. It had direct line of site to Lois Weedon, Weston, Abthorpe and Slapton 9

10 This coverage area has been created by travelling around the area and observing from the ground, sometimes checking through people’s bedrooms, etc. Trees are a big problem – you must survey in summer when leaves are on to check line-of-sight Check with County that the area you can reach is in last 10% if you have any plans to seek public money (State Aid) grants. If financing from the community – competition is all!! 10

11 Building Commitment 450 premises; 280 are businesses or homeworkers
Generating commitment Leaflets and flyers Village meetings and local events Website and registration MP endorsement Local publicity, local radio, About my Area 200 households and businesses signed up It was a “Go”!! The Tove Valley area gives us the potential of 450 premises of which 280 are known to be businesses or homeworkers, one is a primary school and one business employs 80+ people. ABbA experience told us we could hope for around 40% penetration Next step was to promote our plan and to ask people to register their interest We distributed flyers and leaflets Spoke about our plans at village meetings and events Set up a website and asked people to register We approached Andrea Leadsom, our MP who lives in Slapton, and she has championed our cause, even raising a question in parliament for the Secretary of State for Media and Culture. Andrea has nominated Eric for the Talk Talk Digital Heroes Awards Eric spoke on Radio Northampton and promoted the plan through “About my Area” Over 40% of the accessible properties indicated their intention to take up the service and 63% of those were businesses and homeworkers. With 200 or so expressing a strong interest, at a charge of just £10 per month, we felt we had a viable proposition. There was a need for some pump priming finance, but more of that later, along with how we have tried to exploit the grant money that has been available for rural broadband 11

12 Modernisation – think to the future and what people will expect of a broadband service – mobile phones, in areas of no reception, can use the broadband connection by default.

13 Get organised! Marshal the volunteers Proper detailed project plan
Well thought out cash-flow projections Document every bit of support evidence Build support website Start negotiating for grants and loan finance

14 Organisation Salient Facts
Abthorpe Broadband Association Limited Not-for-profit Captures the attention of the communities. limited by guarantee Members are liable to pay £1 each in the event of the Company failing. Run by volunteers No employees nor PAYE nor VAT – simple accounts. Get support Community, Church, District, County, DEFRA, DCMS Organisation is paramount if only to show to the commercial and local relationships you will need to demonstrate the seriousness of your scheme. As you get deeper into the scheme you will realise the importance of this. So do it straight away – there is minimum outlay in creating the Company’s articles and registering with Companies House. Limited by guarantee affords protection for the Directors and Members – however you must accept that most banks will not lend to such a company. Marshal your volunteers – choose carefully your immediate partners-in-crime. Absolutely get the Parish, District and County Council people on board with your proposals – referring to these “partners” or “associations” in your future negotiations will help a lot. Before you start work – GET INSURANCE. We have a community member who is an insurance broker – just one demonstration of encompassing help throughout the target area.

15 Expertise required Business experienced Ring-leader The Geek
The Quidnunc (look it up) Aspiring Millionaire (will be still aspiring if not expired at the end of the project) This is self explanatory AND I would stress you need at least these SEPARATE people to get things off the ground. Beware of the control freaks and those that think they can do everything/anything.

16 Tove Valley Broadband – 19 September 2013
Projects get changed…. 2012 we submitted an expression of interest to BDUK / DEFRA and were ‘approved’ (Phase 1 £80k project) 2013 our plans were seriously changed after discussions with BDUK, due mainly to EU controls, to a Phase 2 £250,000 project Late 2013 with no movement from BDUK, we initiated the Phase 1 £80k project self-funded. 2014 after threats that the ‘full’ project could not be completed due to weather, harvest, etc. if go-ahead was not given by March 2014, we got the green light. By March 2015 we completed on time. Tove Valley Broadband – 19 September 2013

17 Phase 1 – self funded PHASE 1 £80k
100/100Mbps backhaul on BT tails (6degrees) Radio ‘pipes’ between villages Access points in villages giving better than superfast (30Mbps+) using WiFi radios (5GHz) to most premises Over 400 premises could be served By September members Radio pipes beginning to be overloaded. The minimum bandwidth you should aim to install from the start is 100/100Mbps – this nomenclature means you can download AND upload at 100Mbps and fibre lines are usually quoted as symetrical in this way. If you are using EU sourced State Aid (public grants) you will need to deliver 30Mbps or better to your members. Our aim is to do this once we have laid fibres between our villages. Where the fibre comes in, our measured speed is 95Mbps+; on the first WiFi access point, members get over 70Mbps; 5km away and three radio “hops” still get better than 30Mbps; 7km and 4 hops get better than 15Mbps

18 Phase 1 costings (incl. VAT)
100/100Mbps backhaul £ 17,500/year Revenue costs : 200 users requires £10/month (approx) Point-to-point radio links 8 units = £2,500 Access points (back2back) 34 units + = £5,000 Switches, Routers, etc. £3,000 Misc. wire, plugs, tools,etc. £3,500 Total capital £14,000 for 200 users Capital costs : 200 users £100 membership fee Client premises equipment £75 to cover costs Get several quotations from ISPs – at least BT, Virgin Media, TalkTalk – we asked 12 ISPs, shortlisted 5 and horse-traded with 2. Our ISP is 6Degrees. Choose your PoP – Point of Presence – carefully to future-proof expansion Do roof-top surveys in communities to determine the best position for access points For those hosting an access point, we discount the Client premises equipment cost – we have a short agreement with the host to the effect that whilst we are a not-for-profit organisation, they will supply electricity and endeavour to keep a 24/7 service; the agreement is null and void if the organisation goes commercial in any way. We buy Ubiquity equipment from a local supplier at a good trade discount, Ubiquity screen Cat5 from same, plugs from china (direct – 1/3rd price), poles, brackets, etc. from Screwfix/B&Q/Toolsataion.

19 Phase 2 – 50% grant from BDUK
PHASE 2 £250k 1000/1000Mbps backhaul direct to London (FibreOptions). 2500Mbps fibre between villages – 12.5km 12-core blown through 14mm tube. (NLD/FibreOptions) Access points in villages giving better than superfast (30Mbps+) to all premises (MSDist) By March members The minimum bandwidth you should aim to install from the start is 100/100Mbps – this nomenclature means you can download AND upload at 100Mbps and fibre lines are usually quoted as symetrical in this way. If you are using EU sourced State Aid (public grants) you will need to deliver 30Mbps or better to your members. Our aim is to do this once we have laid fibres between our villages. Where the fibre comes in, our measured speed is 95Mbps+; on the first WiFi access point, members get over 70Mbps; 5km away and three radio “hops” still get better than 30Mbps; 7km and 4 hops get better than 15Mbps

20 Phase 2 costings (incl. VAT)
1000/1000Mbps backhaul £ 26,000/year Laying fibre between villages Additional access points in villages fed from the fibre; Client-premise equipment for xxx clients; Routers, terminations, wire, plugs, tools etc. Total cost Loans raised Grant received Get several quotations from ISPs – at least BT, Virgin Media, TalkTalk – we asked 12 ISPs, shortlisted 5 and horse-traded with 2. Our ISP is 6Degrees. Choose your PoP – Point of Presence – carefully to future-proof expansion Do roof-top surveys in communities to determine the best position for access points For those hosting an access point, we discount the Client premises equipment cost – we have a short agreement with the host to the effect that whilst we are a not-for-profit organisation, they will supply electricity and endeavour to keep a 24/7 service; the agreement is null and void if the organisation goes commercial in any way. We buy Ubiquity equipment from a local supplier at a good trade discount, Ubiquity screen Cat5 from same, plugs from china (direct – 1/3rd price), poles, brackets, etc. from Screwfix/B&Q/Toolsataion.

21 TVB Project Conclusions
100/100Mbps bandwidth per 100 members This bandwidth throughput is when membership reached 400 Line-of-sight rule for Client’s connections The minimum bandwidth you should aim to install from the start is 100/100Mbps – this nomenclature means you can download AND upload at 100Mbps and fibre lines are usually quoted as symetrical in this way. If you are using EU sourced State Aid (public grants) you will need to deliver 30Mbps or better to your members. Our aim is to do this once we have laid fibres between our villages. Where the fibre comes in, our measured speed is 95Mbps+; on the first WiFi access point, members get over 70Mbps; 5km away and three radio “hops” still get better than 30Mbps; 7km and 4 hops get better than 15Mbps

22 ? TVCSB has been awarded £118,000 grant to do the next phases – fibre between the villages then starting to roll out fibre to premises (FTTP). The process to get this grant is not yet over and takes some courage and a lot of commercial and contract savvy. We estimate that about 400 man-hours have been spent on research, filling forms and petitioning BDUK. It is still unclear as to whether we will use the grant or not, mostly because the conditions the EU and DCMS place on the grant and the pressure from BT to ditch our scheme. As far as the latter is concerned, we can afford to put fibres between the villages ourselves now, using generated finance and local loans and the independence this gives is very valuable.

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35


Download ppt "Tove Valley Communities Superfast Broadband (TVB)"

Similar presentations


Ads by Google