Speed up again to 1.6mbit!

And I've no idea why! Anyone else had the same?

Confirmed again starts next year....

http://www.superfastessex.org/Getinvolved/PressReleases/TabId/2513/ArtMID/6311/ArticleID/760/Essex’s-superfast-journey-takes-another-major-step-forward-Latest-fibre-broadband-rollout-due-to-start-almost-a-year-early.aspx

Now it's worse, what's going on ?

And this is the test result from January

Yyyyeeaaaahhhhhhhhhh at last!!!

We are getting super fast broadband! More details to follow 

Thanks to you all for doing your bit including reading my rubbish blog and flyer! Xx

Mr Mark Francois

Now, i'm not a political man, and one party is about as good as another in my opinion, I am in league with none....except when it suits me of course ;-)

Mr Mark Francois (yes the man with the big blue conservative board right next to our fibre broadband cabinet that we are not connected to) has written to me today.

He says (and I quote)

"I have again written to Gavin Patterson, Chief Executive of BT to raise this matter with him once more....." (to ask if) "...South Fambridge can be included in the next phase of the rollout"

"I hope you may recieve a positive reply but if I am successfully re-elected, then I will be happy to persue this for you further..."

Now I know we all know that this is in order to secure my vote...right? Well sure, agreed. But then i suppose isn't that the point of electing someone, to get things that you need. There's no hiding it.

Am I conservative? I honestly don't know what that means any more. Do I want fast broadband and do I think its unfair we have so far been excluded? Yes. Can this man Mark do anything about it? Maybe. Maybe is better than No.

Well Mr Francois, you have been supportive of us so far election or not, and have always replied to me in writing, promptly and have done what you have said you would.

You got my vote chap

Superfast Essex Signs a deal with BT

I've had some promising news that it seems it has been recognised that we will now be considered as eligible for the rollout by superfastessex. This I feel is significant shift from previous dialog and general message I received some two years ago from when I first enquired (that we were outside scope)

I enclose an excerpt from an email I received from Lucy at superfastessex. Thanks very much Lucy for hearing us and taking time to reply, it is appreciated.

"... it is now confirmed that we will be working with BT to extend superfast broadband coverage across the county.

The rollout plan for this work however, is still being defined. We are working with BT to agree the areas which will be covered in Phase 2 and expect this plan to be ready for publication in May. Until then, we aren’t able to definitively confirm whether South Fambridge will be included. We can only at this present confirm that it remains eligible for investment. All plans will also remain subject to change following detailed site surveys."

We remain positive and supportive of your decision.

Erm... Not quite

Meeting

I am meeting with the chief executive of Rochford council on Thursday to discuss the governments broadband rollout scheme and why up till now we have been excluded and the council appear not to have contributed

+Update:

I met with Mr Dave, and he was very kind to listen to what I had to say and take me around the Rochford DC building - a 900 year old fabulous building. Dave is a busy man and I am very thankful for his interest and time. We chatted for some 45 minutes.

After hearing me, he agreed to do some investigations and if appropriate, help us in the village. Mr Dave I am grateful we look forward to what you can do for us

Today we hit 1000 views, thanks all for your support and interest

I have written to Amar Dave chief executive of Rochford Council...

I expect he is a busy man arguably looking after a lot of other issues for our area, broadband probably not the most important. However we look forward to his reply.

Thank you Mr Dave

Rt Hon Mark Francios office has had a reply from Open Reach

I'm impressed with the office of Mark Francios, and their communication with me about this issue. They have been chasing OpenReach and OpenReach have sent a reply, which kind of backs up my thoughts about making ourselves heard I feel.

Here are the facts from the office of the Director of Openreach.

Once more, let us remind ourselves, Rochford Council have decided not to participate on the scheme to help rural broadband. And have not replied to my tweets to their account.

Anyone know who is in charge of Rochford Council at the moment, i might fancy doing a bit of Camping for a few nights now the sun is out. ;-)

Thankyou Kelly Holland, Clerk to Ashingdon Parish Council

Kelly has been very helpful and supportive of our situation and has agreed to ask to go along to the SuperFastEssex meeting for Parish representatives.

She said she will  " will be asking the Parish Council for permission to attend the event at our next Parish Council meeting."

We look forward to this and appreciate this gesture and acknowledge the time and effort this takes

Tweet from Rochford Council, thank you

Thanks very much for agreeing to look at the blog and consider a reply, this is a kind and gracious offer we look forward to your comments

Thanks for visiting, sorry for pushing crummy leaflets through your doors, hate doing that kind of stuff but hope you all understand why. For me right now its a principle as well as an inconvenience. Here's the leaflet in all its PowerPoint glory, feel free to comment as you wish.

PS. did you know Rochford Council chose not to support this scheme by contributing? (in other words the Government offered to match contributions from Local Council, but they decided to....well.. offer zero.). Incidentally, how are you all finding your council tax payments these days, ok? Many councils except Rochford have participated.

Any comment Rochford council? Please put us straight if this is factually incorrect. I'll be writing to them very shortly

RT Hon Mark Francois MP Thanks

Mark always takes time to reply to me by post, something I respect and value. Good on you Mark. Here's a copy of a letter I got yesterday. Hope he can get
us on the SuperFast Map.