From one unpronounceable place to another – congratulations to Michaelston y Fedw, between Cardiff and Newport, for getting their project together and delivering fibre broadband to their local community: yet another place going where governments and BT won’t, and going far beyond the capabilities of the BT/Openreach monopoly. Nicely done, folks.
BCB launches its network! [Press Release]
With the work to install our core network across the glen well under way, it’s finally time to ‘officially’ launch our network to the world at large. So here’s our press release announcing the fact, coinciding with a small ceremony that took place today, in the presence of those who’ve supported us practically and politically, and those who can learn from the example that we and other communities have set.
Public Meeting, 18th March 2018
For anyone who hasn’t seen the email notes that were sent around at the beginning of the month (or who has since forgotten!), there’s a public meeting in Balquhidder Village Hall tomorrow, March 18th, between 2-4pm.
This is an opportunity, ahead of our ‘public’ launch, to being yourself up to date with progress and to have any questions you might have answered, so feel free to come and ask us anything (about the broadband, that is).
We look forward to seeing you there!
Wayleaves
There has been a little confusion about the notion and need for wayleaves – the written consent BCB needs in order to run its network across anyone’s land.
These exist entirely for everyone’s mutual protection, and to ensure that we have an agreed route across each piece of land, before we start to lay the network. To be fair and consistent, we use a single, standard wayleave document for everyone. Continue reading Wayleaves
New Year, Still Digging
What better way could there be to burn off the indolent excesses of Christmas and Hogmanay than head up the hill and help dig in the next leg of our network? Well, I can think of a few, but at least here we can go home with a warm glow of community participation, our innards warmed by Andrea’s excellent soup, even if our feet are freezing. Continue reading New Year, Still Digging
Not Quite Believing It Department…
Here we go, and all that: our first speed test from the WiFi hotpoint that’s now been set up at the cabinet. Eleven years, Eleven years of blood, sweat and toil, enlivened by the occasional broadside at BT, the Scottish and British governments and their agencies. Now we’re just waiting for the splicer to turn up and splice the, ah, mainbrace and we’ll have the first houses connected: at the moment, fibres are dangling tantalisingly down the interior wall. Continue reading Not Quite Believing It Department…
Fibre: Reel to Real
After a longish stretch of fine, dry and bright weather, it was entirely predictable that the day for the blowing of the first fibre in our network would see the weather revert to type, dark and soggy was the order of the day – the Scots word “dreich” covers it beautifully. Continue reading Fibre: Reel to Real
North Side Works
I’m pleased to be able to say that the network build is now happening faster than we can keep the web site updated! Which is definitely a nice problem to have.
So, whilst we’ve had a couple of hiccups, the team’s enthusiasm including a spirited attempt to beat the land speed record for ploughing in the dark (the mole plough has now been welded back together), very good progress is being made and is accelerating, thanks to a committed and ever-expanding (it’s the bacon butties!) volunteer dig team: Continue reading North Side Works
Early November Update
It’s been a while since our last full update, mainly because we’ve been busy, ah, doing stuff. So here’s where we are:
- As of yesterday, our circuit to the outside world is complete, Openreach having previously failed to meet their September Contract Delivery Date (CDD), thereby placing themselves in breach of contract.
- Also as of yesterday, our magnificent, if slightly grubby, digging team has crossed the Llon Dhu and reached the edge of the road en route to the village hall.
Project Officer
Balquhidder Community Broadband CIC is looking for a Project Officer to help with the delivery by community volunteers of the local fibre broadband network in Balquhidder.