Some homes and businesses in Horsington now have a (comparatively) superfast broadband connection. But those who live more than 1km (just over half a mile) from the BT cabinet at the entrance to Horsington House still have to put up with the often painfully slow service.
Indeed two thirds of Horsington Blog readers say, in an admittedly small poll, that their service has deteriorated since the introduction of the superfast service at the end of September.
Residents on the Marsh and further afield have been trying to get BT to extend the reach of superfast broadband, and resident Penny Nagle has been badgering anyone who will listen – BT, MP David Warburton and local councillor Tim Inglefield. The latter two have been very helpful and supportive. BT has not even condescended to answer letters.
According to BT, and Connecting Devon and Somerset, the official body charged with introducing superfast, the Horsington area is now deemed to be upgraded and no further action is planned, so it is now up to residents to take matters into their own hands.
Penny Nagle has been investigating various routes with the support of Tim Inglefield.
They are looking at whether businesses can receive a grant to install broadband infrastructure, which means that households can get it for the usual price of signing up for an Internet Service Provider.
It’s likely to be through satellite, or wifi broadband, though Penny is pushing to see if we can get Gigaclear, which is fibre optic direct into your home not using the copper wire network.
If the service is provided by WiFi, then philanthropic landowners in the area are needed to come forward to host a mast on their land Each mast will provide line of site coverage for about 7.5 km (4.5 miles) A wifi mast could serve Horsington, South Cheriton, Cucklington and Stoke Trister .
We need high ground that everyone can see, and there may be a case for more than one spot. If anyone has any ideas (churches are good!) please let Penny know, as this is the back up plan if Connecting Devon and Somerset takes too long.
If you would like to receive superfast, please email your postcode and telephone number to Penny at pennynagle@gmail.com. Please do this by January 1st. The information will only be shared with Connecting Devon and Somerset.
Useful links for more information:
Broadband availability checker https://www.dslchecker.bt.com/adsl/ADSLChecker.AddressOutput
Wessex broadband http://www.wessexinternet.com/HomeBroadband.
Pictures of WiFi masts – very small scale and unobtrusive when affixed to buildings -even churches.
