02 March 2017
Project update – 2 March 2017
The beginning of 2017 has been very successful for the superfast team. We’ve identified some cabinets that are experiencing challenges and have worked through bad weather and brutal blockages to get some cabinets back on track. Despite a few setbacks we have managed to get some rural villages connected to fibre broadband for the very first time. Planning work continues behind the scenes and on our digital front, we are planning to make some changes to our website. If you have any questions about our website email info@superfastleicestershire.org.uk.
Tell me if i’m connected now
News digest
Let’s get social
We’re making a conscious effort to increase our activity on social media to make sure you know what’s going on in your area. We also want to highlight that you can contact us anytime online to find out more about the availability of superfast in your area. We respond as quickly as we can in office hours and are continually aiming to improve. We’ll be working on some upcoming campaigns on Twitter too including the #fibrewaycode , #dreamstreaming and our well-known easter campaign. Make sure you join the conversation online when you follow Leicestershire County Council and use #SuperfastLeics to find out the latest news.
We’re pleased to announce that we will be partnering Connected Britain in their upcoming event at St. Paul’s Hotel in London. The event that is taking place on 14 and 15 June will have over 80 speakers and more than 350 delegates attending.
We’re joining other broadband programmes from across the country where we’ll be able to network and discuss the impact of the changing industry issues.
If you’re attending Connected Britain 2017, come and see us to find out how fibre broadband is helping businesses in Leicestershire thrive in a world where technology is constantly changing the way we work, live and play.
Find out more about Connected Britain 2017.
Cabinets stood
The following green cabinets (usually stood at the side of the road) are now enabled with fibre broadband. If you live in one of these areas and would like to upgrade to fibre broadband, search for fibre broadband providers in your area or speak to your current communications provider about upgrading. Visit the Superfast Leicestershire website for more information.
- Cabinet 32 on the ST BARNABAS exchange (Leicester)
- Cabinet 1 on the ROTHERBY exchange (Frisby on the Wreake)
- Cabinet 8 on the HARBY exchange (Eastwell)
Please be aware that as cabinets go live they can take a couple of weeks before you will be able to order the fibre broadband. Providers can sometimes also take time to become available on the fibre network. To get the best deal, wait 2-3 weeks when the market becomes more competitive.
To see if you can upgrade to fibre broadband now check out the When and Where? page.
Find out more on our FAQ pages.
Cabinets experiencing challenges
These cabinets are currently experiencing some challenges and are being worked on daily to be resolved. They are also treated as a priority within the project.
Braunstone 25 (Enderby) – we expect this cabinet to go live with fibre broadband by March 2018. The location of this cabinet requires a lot of work with third parties. Discussions are ongoing.
Castle Donington 19 (Castle Donington) – we hope this cabinet to go live with fibre broadband by September 2017. The route that was planned for this green roadside cabinet connection is no longer viable. The area will need to be surveyed again in order to plan a re-route. Over the next couple of months you will see our team coming out to survey the area in hope of finding another route.
Desford 8 (Peckleton) – we expect this cabinet to go live with fibre broadband by the end of June 2017. We need to install a slightly different type of cabinet here called an ‘all in one’ or ‘onesie’. It means that rather than have two green roadside cabinets (and old one and a new one) you will just have one that will contain all the cabling and wiring to get the area up to speed.
Narborough 37 (parts of Narborough) – we expect this cabinet to go live with fibre broadband by the end of April 2017. We will need to close a road to be able to complete the installation of the new fibre cables and we are doing everything we can do this as quickly as possible.
Rearsby 1 (Thrussington) – we expect this cabinet to go live with fibre broadband by the end of March 2017. A new route had to be planned to install this cabinet which included laying 1500m of new ducts for new fibre optic cables to lay in. We also had to clear lots of blockages in the existing duct but the work is progressing well.
Shepshed 13 (Shepshed) – we expect this cabinet to go live with fibre broadband by September 2017. A road closure will be required to connect this green roadside cabinet to the main fibre network (known as the ‘spine’). The road closure will allow our engineers to install over 150 metres of fibre on top of the existing copper. Our teams will be working closely together to arrange the closure.
Wymeswold 8 (Wymeswold) – we expect this cabinet to go live with fibre broadband by December 2017. We have found the route to get power to from the green roadside cabinet will require some work under the roads. Openreach and our highways team will be out and about over the next few months to assess what needs to be done.
Please be aware that these dates are subject to change depending on the individual situation. The Superfast Leicestershire team will continue to keep you updated with the latest changes. Follow the Twitter updates using the hashtag #SuperfastLeics
Cabinets stood
Cabinets stood refer to the new green boxes which stand usually adjacent to the existing green roadside box in your village. The new cabinet will house all the fibre connections; the existing green box houses the copper telephone lines. The two are then joined together.
- Leicester Central 6 (Crafton Street)
- Leicester Central 137 (Southampton St)
- Somerby 4 (Burrough on the Hill)
- St Barnabas 18 (Heritage Way)
- Beaumont 5 (Sheringham Rd)
- Beaumont 32 (Rutherford Rd)
Over 400 homes and businesses connected since the last project update!