Broadband

Introduction

Up until late 2021, only those in the northern and southern parts of the village could opt for fibre to the premises (FTTP). Those in the central (largest) part of the village, connected to the cabinet (no. 20) in Lone Lane, were not so well served despite benefitting from a fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) upgrade in summer 2017.

During 2020/2021, an action group led by Steve Davis, Rachael Geddes, David May and Lance Rowell worked hard to improve this situation and engaged with Openreach in a major Community Fibre Partnership to install a fibre network to some 140 properties.

This project was completed in October 2021, and now very few outlying properties in Penallt have an unsatisfactory broadband connection. Overall some 90% to 95% of Penallt properties are now able to connect directly to ultrafast fibre.

Current Situation and Timeline (updated November 2021)

October 2021
The “roll-out” is now complete, Pelham Hall being amongst the last to be connected to ultrafast broadband. More in this news story.

July/August 2021
Fibre “goes live” via a rolling programme and those in the project area will then be able to place orders.

The first areas to go live (late July) were properties in Lone Lane from the Boat Inn towards Croes Faen.

Full completion of the whole project is still targeted at the end of August.

Jan – July 2021
“considerable civil intervention” is needed involving both MCC and local landowners; work involves pole erection, road digging, tree cutting, trenching etc. Some delays due to Openreach securing permissions from MCC

October - December 2020
Voucher validation period when those who had pledged for a DCMS voucher confirmed that they would be taking up a fibre service

Autumn 2020
Additional survey work was done by Openreach during the next few weeks in order to “formulate and build the delivery plan”.

Summer 2020
Some 18 businesses and 52 homes have pledged to take up a broadband voucher meaning that we have now reached the Openreach target of £196500.

A number of residents have expressed concerns about the route that the fibre will take, given that much will be carried by existing poles despite the hazards of dense tree cover in Lone Lane. We have sent photographic evidence of the poor state of some of these poles and cables which has now gone to (we hope) the appropriate department within Openreach for action.

How fibre is installed to your property

The video below shows how Openreach bring fibre into your home after you’ve placed an order with your chosen provider.

Have you recently ordered Full Fibre? Watch our video to find what to expect from us and what you can do to get ready to be connected.

See also the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for much more detail. It is linked from the button (right)

A great deal of work has taken place over the years helping to provide and improve internet connections to the village. Many pages covering this in detail can be accessed by the link on the right.