Community

Whilst many parts of the Hodnet area now have access to superfast fibre broadband, other local areas have no prospect of Openreach, the BT infrastructure company, providing a reliable high-speed service in the foreseeable future. For instance last year we reported the contrast for residents of Little Bolas (who were the first community in the area to have access to fibre broadband) and those in Peplow where the hope was to provide a minimal 2mbps by the end of 2016.
Whilst there seems to be no possibility of that commitment being improved as far as cable connections are concerned, Connecting Shropshire is administering a subsidy scheme for those who are unable to receive broadband download speeds in excess of 2 megabits per second (mbps) and are not currently planned to benefit from the superfast broadband roll out. Details of the scheme are available on the Connecting Shropshire website.
The Better Broadband Subsidy Scheme provides support towards the cost of the installation of a broadband connection so that a basic broadband service can be purchased for a first year cost of no more than £400 (taking account of any up-front costs and the 12 month service charges). The scheme can also be used to access more expensive packages with higher speeds and/or greater monthly data allowances. Not all applicants will receive the full amount, with alternative options qualifying for different amounts. However, the subsidy is a welcome provision for those struggling with super-slow internet connections.
Alternatives to cable broadband are listed here on Connecting Shropshire’s website. They include 4G Mobile, Wireless and Satellite networks. Mobile is limited by the coverage provided by the different companies, wireless networks depend on line of sight to the transmitter, and whilst in theory satellite should be able to reach those locations other networks cannot reach, in practice that is not always the case.

Connecting Shropshire list wireless and satellite providers, but not all of them are at present participating in the subsidy scheme. Also not all wireless providers have transmitters within reach of this corner of North Shropshire. One of them uConnect has equipment on the Wrekin’s mast, and most of our area is within its 20km range (Tern Hill roundabout being on the northern limit). Those without a view of the Wrekin may be able to access a signal from Secure Web Services who have a transmitter in the Grinshill area – though it is not at the top of the hill.
To apply for the Better Broadband Subsidy residents need to read the two PDF files available from the scheme’s web page. The Scheme Guide and the Better Broadband Subsidy Scheme FAQs describe the procedure. There is then an on-line form to complete which only takes a few minutes if you have the relevant information to hand. If your application is successful you will be sent an eligibility code by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. This email also lists participating suppliers so you can check if your preferred supplier is able to claim the subsidy for you.  Don’t apply too early though as you will need to confirm an installation date with a supplier within 30 days of receipt of the code (the installation itself can be later than this). Connecting Shropshire have not announced how long the subsidy will be available for, nor if there are limited funds available.

Personal note: This author participated in a trial of satellite broadband organised by Connecting Shropshire at the end of 2015. My experience, and that of another local family, was not very positive. The feedback I received from Connecting Shropshire is that we were not the only ones who were unhappy with the experience.
Recently, we have had a radio connection to the Wrekin installed and to date are very happy with both the service and the company.