Statement on behalf of Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) and Airband

Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) and Airband have announced that they have agreed to scale back Airband’s contract agreements to deliver full fibre to properties in the region. Both CDS and Airband remain committed to finding possible alternative delivery solutions for those communities who were due to receive fibre broadband.

CDS contracted with broadband supplier Airband, initially in 2016 to deliver fixed wireless infrastructure and additionally in late 2020 to rollout fibre broadband networks to communities across Devon and Somerset, with four contracts originally due to conclude at the end of 2024.  In total, Airband is contracted to deliver 55,493 premises.  To date the operator has delivered 18,794 premises in collaboration with CDS.

However, following Airband’s restructure earlier this year, the company is seeking to maximise take up across its existing network while slowing down on build activity which means it can no longer complete its contracted build for CDS in full. As a result, in April, Airband sought a change to its contract.

Detailed discussions have now concluded between CDS, Airband and BDUK to resolve the situation and Airband has now committed to provide full fibre access to 8,377 more homes and businesses covered by the contracts, providing a total of 27,171 out of the 55,493 premises it was originally contracted to deliver.  This additional build will further unlock fibre delivery by Airband to 10,997 non-contracted premises along the network build routes, giving an overall commitment to connect a further 19,834 premises in Devon and Somerset.

CDS is extremely disappointed to see a reduction in coverage by Airband but both parties are committed to continue working together to deliver better connectivity across the region.  The next stage will be to finalise the relevant build plans and secure compliance approvals from BDUK.

CDS are also discussing alternative options with BDUK – Building Digital UK, Government’s national agency, responsible for the delivery of Gigabit Broadband.

CDS are urging BDUK to re-enable rural voucher applications to open promptly in communities where Airband will no longer be delivering.  This should offer communities a potential alternative.  At the same time CDS is seeking confirmation of the Devon and Somerset premises that will be connected under the nationally led contracts awarded to Openreach as part of the Government’s Project Gigabit programme.

To date, investment from CDS has provided better broadband access to more than 325,000 homes and businesses – that’s more than any other broadband programme/partnership in the country. Superfast coverage in Devon and Somerset currently stands at around 93% of premises (thinkbroadband.com). That’s above the 86% average for UK rural areas. Public take up of CDS-funded broadband connections is also above the national average.

Airband will be in contact with residents in the coming weeks. Current customers are unaffected.