Despite not reaching the initial full target in the first scheme of 1,111 properties, the level of vouchers pledged has enabled us to review the situation with Openreach and in Partnership with the Parish Council we are still hoping to get ultrafast fibre infrastructure installed for over 850 properties in the scheme. Whilst we were not able to include all properties in the scheme it has meant that the largest Community Fibre scheme in the whole of East Sussex has been delivered in Westfield.
All sites are now live except for Heathlands which is still got some additional works to be carried out. If you go to https://www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband/ultrafast-full-fibre-broadband you will be able to see if the infrastructure for full fibre is available for your property. However, with some service providers it can take up to two weeks for them to get their systems up to date. If you have ongoing problems please contact me at clerk@westfieldcouncil.org.uk and I will try to help and liaise with Openreach directly for you to let them know service providers have not updated their systems.
Please note every property is different so if you have any issues please email clerk@westfieldcouncil.org.uk and we will try to help you. If we get any feedback from residents I will upload their comments here to help others in similar situations. Please note each situation is different and the below advice is from residents who are trying to be helpful not the Parish Council:
- We have been told that anyone who is with Plusnet that Plusenet no longer include phone lines in their contracts. Therefore, anyone wanting to keep their phone line should ask to be transferred to BT without asking Plusnet for a new contract with themselves. This will avoid a ‘seize’ being placed on the line and make the switch over much easier.
- On 16/02/2024 Sky has not updated their system to show ultrafast broadband is in areas of Westfield that have been upgraded. Most places have been upgraded now bar Heathlands so once Sky update their system you will be able to place an order. Openreach have been notified that Sky is currently not showing the update.
Some few remaining people still need to pledge their vouchers. However, most people already have and thank you so much. For anyone who HASN’T validated their voucher they need to do so via the email that is coming through looking like this:
Thank you for pledging your Gigabit Broadband Voucher with Openreach.
It’s time to validate your application. Thank you for your patience, and for previously pledging your UK Project Gigabit voucher.
We’re now ready to request the vouchers for your scheme, and we’ll get these issued to you directly. This is a key part of the funding process and every applicant now needs to validate their details with the Government within 28 days of receipt of their email. Please also check your junk email folders. Their email will come from gigabit.vouchers@notifications.service.gov.uk.
We’ll start doing some initial build checks in your area. However, failure to receive enough voucher validations will mean that the network build could be jeopardised. If you’ve already responded to the DCMS, thank you. If not you should expect your voucher shortly.
Gigabit vouchers are issued subject to the terms and conditions of the scheme and is operated by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which includes placing an order for at least 12 months once the service is live. Full terms and conditions can be found here – https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/terms-conditions/.
Best Wishes
The Fibre Community Partnership Team
To help residents get the information they need about the project we have created some new pages. Please click on the below links for details.
Westfield Parish Council 