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Update on Superfast West Yorkshire’s infrastructure roll out

The end of the planning phase of upgrading West Yorkshire’s fibre network is now in sight.

Our engineers have been busy over the last six months surveying the area and drawing up a plan for where the fibre, new ducts and street cabinets will go.

This means that in the first phase area (see website deployment map) we are now starting to install the new green cabinets that will connect up people’s homes.

There are over 50 new green cabinets that will gradually start to spring up in towns and villages located in the phase one area in the next month or two.

Work has already started in Halifax, Otley and Sandal where around 18 new cabinets will go up.

Phase 1 will complete in early summer 2014 and will provide superfast broadband service to 5 new exchanges including Arthington, Barwick in Elmet, Hipperholme, Illingworth and Sowerby Bridge.

Phase 1 will also provide expanded coverage in Brighouse, Calder Valley, Halifax, Hemsworth, Ilkley, Otley, Sandal and South Elmsall. The first cabinets should start to become available in Spring 2014.

A lot of planning and surveying has gone into deciding where the new fibre cabs end up. This can be a difficult task because the new cabinets must be within 100m of the existing copper cabinets, be close to a suitable power supply and comply with all necessary safety and street work regulations.

We have to link up the new fibre cab with the nearby copper cabinet so that people can get both a phone and fibre broadband service.

Even after we’ve linked up the cabinets there is more to do before we can switch on superfast broadband. As well as connecting up the new fibre cabinets with the existing copper cabs, we also need to ensure they are linked up to a power supply. The new green cabinets bring a smaller version of the broadband equipment from the exchange into your street so unlike copper cabinets these need to be connected to a suitable power supply at all times.

LAUNCH OF NEW SUPPORT PROGRAMME TO GET BUSINESSES UP TO SPEED

Eligible small and medium sized businesses in West Yorkshire are invited to ‘get ahead of the game’ and discover how to save time, save money and improve efficiency online with the help Superfast West Yorkshire’s brand new business support programme.

The free business support programme, launched at the beginning of February is designed specifically to help local businesses exploit the many competitive advantages that faster broadband provides.

The programme includes one to one advice, practical Masterclasses on topics such as digital marketing, social media, websites and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), plus exclusive networking club opportunities.

Several successful briefing events and Masterclasses have already taken place in Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Halifax and Leeds and many more are planned – places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

Visit our business pages at www.superfastwestyorkshire.co.uk/business to find out more about the Business Support programme.

Alternatively, ring 0845 144 0040 or email enquiries@superfastwy.co.uk to find out about an event or Masterclass taking place near you.