Update from Steve Cormack and James MacPherson

Final connections have been made to a number of properties in the Balvraid area and they can now order FTTP broadband. These properties stretch from the Press, down the Clune road to the Glamping Pods.  (see areas marked in yellow on Map 1).

 
A further group of properties in the area after the Pods – Tuim Bhig down through Raigbeg then over to Tomatin house – have been connected but some data issues need to be sorted before they can order. We expect that to be sorted this week. (See Map 2).
 
In previous broadband projects, some service providers were slow to update their databases, with the result that when householders rang to upgrade their service, they were told it wasn’t available in their areas. If this happens to you, explain that your house was recently connected to FTTP and if they can’t supply it, you’ll find someone else who will! I have checked the BT Broadband Availability Page and it has been updated and can accept orders.
 
You do not have to contract for the new service immediately. You can wait until your present contract expires. But if you don’t want to wait before taking advantage of the new speeds, call your present service provider (BT, Plusnet, TalkTalk, etc) and tell them you want to upgrade your service to FTTP. Most providers will be happy to do this with no penalty. Different providers may use different names for FTTP – “Full Fibre,” “Hyperfast,” “Future Fibre,” etc. Just make clear to your service provider that you want to ttake advantage of your new FTTP connection. This is quite a useful page to help you understand the different choices.
 

Regards the email many of you received about broadband vouchers expiring on 31st March, I’m still seeking clarity. Our main man in Openreach was on holiday till yesterday but has promised a definitive statement “in the next few days.” When I get it, you’ll get it. Meanwhile, as far as I am aware, Openreach will continue the fibre installation.

 

EDIT

 
We’ve just heard from “our man in Openreach”. He has heard from Scottish government’s DCMS dept. to say that the voucher scheme will be extended for long enough for work to be completed, so all’s well on that front. He included this message, which I presume will be sent from DCMS to all those who previously received an email warning of voucher expiry:​
“Rural Gigabit Connectivity Voucher due to expire on 31 March
We’re pleased to say that further to evidence provided by us to Building Digital UK (BDUK), your voucher validity period will be extended beyond 31 March 2022. Your voucher validity period should now cover the build timeline required. No further extensions to RGC vouchers will be permitted.
What happens next?
We will keep you updated as to the progress of your particular scheme. For now, no action is required from you as the voucher beneficiary until your network is live and it’s time to order your ultrafast full fibre broadband service from a provider of your choice.
  • Ordering a gigabit-capable ultrafast full fibre broadband service is part of the Terms and Conditions of your voucher pledge
  • Think about your current broadband contract and avoid entering into long term contracts, so that you’re ready to upgrade when we complete the network build
  • Upgrades are not automatic; you’ll need to speak to your service provider to upgrade or shop around for a new provider and place an order
  • Be clear on what you order – it needs to be ultrafast full fibre or Fibre-To-The-Premises (FTTP) and capable of up to 1Gbps.”

From feedback, I haven’t been clear about the final part of the connection process. This is what happens:

 
Openreach builds to the curtilage of the property which is called the customer splice point (CSP). This is probably a box on the outside of your house which looks something like this:
Then you place an order with a service provider to transfer from the copper phone line connection you currently have to the new fibre connection. Your supplier will then arrange an appointment for Openreach to return to carry out any internal works including any cabling from the CSP into the house. So in other words, the cable won’t come into your house until after you have placed an order for the new FTTP service.
 
Hope this is clear. Always happy to answer questions.