Community Broadband

Connecting Devon and Somerset

Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) has been set up to deliver next generation broadband infrastructure to areas where the market has failed to invest.

CDS is a local government-led partnership with a programme board that meet quarterly. The board includes

  • cabinet members and chief executives from the Devon and Somerset Councils,
  • CDS officers,
  • representatives from the other authorities and
  • central government's Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) team. 

CDS have managed and continue to manage a number of government-subsidised programmes to deliver superfast broadband to homes and businesses. Homes and businesses were selected to be within the programmes below if they had less than superfast (sub 30 Mbps) and were not due to be covered by a commercial build programme. It should be noted however that there will be some addresses with less than superfast download speeds which will unfortunately not be covered as the funding has not allowed for complete coverage.

The table below summarises the programmes that have been and continue to be managed by CDS:

Phase
Supplier
Technology		 Area Complete?
Phase 1
Openreach
FTTC		 SH 
WD		 ✔
Phase 2
Dartmoor
Airband
Fixed Wireless		 SH
WD		 ✔
Phase 2
Lot 4
Airband
Fixed Wireless		 WD ✔
Phase 2
Lot 4
Airband
Full Fibre		 WD Planned
Phase 2
Lot F
Full Fibre		 SH Planned
Phase Number of properties
Phase 1
Phase 2 Dartmoor
Phase 2 Lot 4		 24,693 (SH)
15,160 (WD)
Phase 2 Lot 4 (WD) 1,470
Phase 2 Lot F (SH) 8,523

Phase One - South Hams & West Devon

This phase involved Openreach bringing fibre to the cabinet to provide superfast broadband to homes and businesses in South Hams & West Devon. This programme is complete

Phase Two - South Hams & West Devon

This programme involved using fixed wireless technology to deliver superfast broadband to hard-to-reach locations and it was delivered by Airband.  It has now been completed.

Phase Two Lot 4 - West Devon

This Lot covers the area of West Devon not covered under Phase two Dartmoor.  Superfast broadband within Lot 4 was initially delivered as fixed wireless by Airband. The fixed wireless coverage is now complete, and CDS have agreed the remainder of the contract will be delivered as full fibre, taking fibre cables directly into peoples homes and businesses that will provide gigabit capable broadband. 

The full fibre network to the remaining homes and businesses are planned to be complete by March 2022.

To find out if you will benefit from full fibre from Airband, please the Airband postcode checker.