UKNOF27 - FTTH for the last 5%

Speaker: Prof. Barry Forde (B4RN)
http://indico.uknof.org.uk/conference...

B4RN is building an FTTH network in the deeply rural areas around the Lune Valley and forest of Bowland AONB. The area covers 420Km2 but contains only 3500 properties. The project will deliver PtP 1Gbs symmetrical to every property within the 23 parishes included in the scheme. With an average dig distance of over 200m per property this would normally be considered totally uneconomic for any telecoms company to do yet alone at a monthly cost of £30 which is what B4RN charges.

However B4RN has adopted two techniques to make it possible. Firstly the fibre is laid cross country across private land with the land owners granting free wayleaves. Narrow bore 16mm duct is used with mini fibre cables then blown in using 15bar compressors. Counts of up to 192f are being installed with blow distances of up to 2Km achieved. Secondly the funding is coming from within the community via a shares issue by B4RN inviting people to invest in the project. Investment can be via cash or sweat with those having the cash opting to put money in whilst those with the time and ability invest their sweat digging ducts and installing the network components.