About our rollout

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About our rollout

About Our Rollout

Click on the buttons below to reveal answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

When will I get superfast broadband? - Will everyone get it at the same time?

It's not possible with a project the size of the Superfast rollout or Project Gigabit to plan to build to every area at the same time, so some areas will be enabled before others. We fully understand people's frustration and the huge importance of fibre broadband and we will keep you regularly updated as our plans evolve.

How are deployment plans devised?

In line with state aid law, in order to determine the eligible intervention areas, Open market Reviews and Public Consultations were conducted to give commercial suppliers the chance to inform of their existing and planned of commercial coverage in the region, ahead of the commencement of both the Superfast South Yorkshire programme in 2014 and Project Gigabit in 2024.

Therefore, any areas informed to us as being or expected to be covered commercially did not form part of the South Yorkshire "intervention area" for investment of government funds to expand broadband access.

The plan was then devised according to the best value for money and where we can get the most coverage for the funding available, as well as the existing infrastructure and planned commercial rollout.

Why are other areas being prioritised and getting faster broadband before my area?

The aim of the broadband expansion projects is to achieve the best possible long-term coverage for South Yorkshire within the resources available.

The rollout is based on engineering logic, taking into account many factors including local demographics and geography, planning requirements, the availability of suitable technologies to provide a service, and the existing engineering infrastructure. Neighbouring communities may be served from different telephone exchanges which in turn can have varying levels of existing fibre capacity. This may result in staggered deployment timescales even within a very localised area.

Taking all of these factors into account the rollout is planned to follow the most efficient route to give the best value for money. No area has been scheduled in preference to any other.

Why are you doing the areas that already have a good speed of broadband before the more remote areas?

Engineering logic dictates that we need to build the fibre optic network out from existing points of presence rather than starting from scratch in rural locations and connect back to existing networks.

Another factor is because communications technologies continue to evolve rapidly it may be that we can provide a better service to the hard-to-reach areas at the end of the rollout than we would be if we targeted them sooner.

I am in an enabled area and cannot get superfast broadband, why not?

This can be due to one or more different factors.

Your line may be connected to a roadside cabinet that has not yet been upgraded to fibre broadband. As the rollout progresses, more and more cabinets will be upgraded.

You may be served by what is known as an 'exchange only' line that is connected directly to the telephone exchange without an intervening green roadside cabinet. Please see the relevant question about exchange only lines.

You may be on a line that is too long to support a fibre broadband connection from your local roadside cabinet.

We’re working hard to upgrade as many premises as possible to fibre broadband, and where fibre optic cannot be made available we’re working on finding the next best solution.

What can I do to speed up the rollout in my area?

The rollout is based on engineering logic and not on levels of demand within individual areas. You can encourage your neighbours to register their interest, but the rollout is not dependent on the number of registrations of interest and it is not possible for individuals or groups to influence the rollout schedule. The rollout programme is driven by engineering and infrastructure requirements, combined with value for money, rather than individuals or groups putting forward their cases for faster broadband..

Can I speed up the rollout in my area by lobbying?

The Superfast South Yorkshire and Project Gigabit fibre broadband rollout plans are not dependent on, and can’t be influenced by lobbying..

The aim of both programmes is to achieve the best long-term broadband coverage for the region. The rollout is being planned in close collaboration with our partners and participating organisations, taking into account many factors including local demographics and geography, planning requirements, the existing engineering infrastructure and the availability of suitable technologies to provide a service.

We fully understand people’s frustration and the huge importance of fibre broadband. It’s not possible with such a large scale programme to plan every area at the same time, so some areas will be enabled before others, and we ask for your understanding on this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the buttons below to reveal answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

About our rollout