I have drawn up a table (appended below) listing all the addresses in the neighbourhood, and for each calculating its distance by roadside cabling from the exchange and from the nearest possible cabinet in each of the Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC) scenarios that I've investigated, of which three are described below and their results included in the table. In order to help visualise these plans, I've also drawn up an online interactive local map showing the neighbourhood and illustrating the plans, each of which may be chosen from the drop down in the top right hand corner of the map. For those in a hurry, in my opinion Plan C was the best of those outlined below, and was the one included in the FTTC Submission.
A single cabinet near the geographic centre of the premises.
My first thought on receiving the disappointing reply to my original enquiry to HIE, was that their thinking is inappropriate to our needs - my view was that we wouldn't be using FTTC to get the sort of headline speeds of up to 70Mbps to be expected in a town, where most premises are fairly close to a cabinet, instead we would be using it to get the sort of workable speeds that those in town can already receive via ADSL, say around 5Mbps, and that this would be sufficient to enable our people to use the internet more effectively than currently they are able with the treacle-slow speeds we get at present via ADSL. In fact, my work on the distances involved shows that this would be true:
Distance (km) | Speed (Mbps) | |
---|---|---|
Average | 2.24 | 20.0 |
Worst Case | 4.28 | 4.0 |
Number of premises likely to receive less than … | Threshold Speed (Mbps) | Premises |
5 | 2 | |
10 | 29 | |
15 | 42 | |
20 | 48 | |
24 | 53 |
However, although there is nothing wrong with the basic concept of using FTTC to obtain town ADSL speeds in a rural location, nevertheless I have come to believe that there are four important difficulties with this plan …
When composing and distributing my original leaflet, I hadn't realised that quite so many respondents would turn out to have satellite broadband, and thereby already be receiving speeds of 10Mbps or more. I now realise that anything proposed must result in something that can compete against satellite not just in price, which is relatively easy, but also in speed, and, for about half our community, this plan will not do that.
The next is that quite a number of premises will still only have ADSL speeds, and, after the recabling, some of these might choose to remain on ADSL, but might then actually have a greater cabled distance to the exchange than they have now, and therefore worse ADSL speeds, and may resent, as they might see it, being 'forced' onto FTTC to get what they previously had via ADSL! Given that the price of FTTC from the cheapest suppliers can be as low or lower than ADSL prices from more expensive suppliers, I think the number of such malcontents would be low, nevertheless the aim is to benefit the community as a whole, and such an adverse possibility as this needs to be avoided if possible.
The next is practical, it means recabling the whole of the loop formed by the A838, Achnairn, Achfrish, and Tirryside. My reading of OpenReach policies as judged by their failure adequately to maintain local infrastructure is that they would resist this, especially if they are paying for any of it, even only a fraction of it, and while "He who pays the piper calls the tune", so if we were to obtain funding to do this, they would presumably have to comply, I suspect that it would be only in spite of serious resistance.
Mention of funding brings me to the final objection to the plan, which is political and economic in equal measure. We would presumably need the funding and political support of an organisation such as HIE, and such an organisation will only support projects that meet the qualifying criteria of the government sources of the funds that they control. Consequently, a headline on such an organisation's web-site that says, in effect, "XYZ brings ADSL speeds at FTTC prices to local community!", even were it at the local community's request, is not going to happen. In simple terms, this wouldn't be a project which they would feel able to fund or support. To attract both funding and support, I think we must aim higher - we must aim for something that at least would meet the UK Government's proposed Universal Service Obligation of 10Mbps to every household, and preferably also would go at least a significant way towards meeting the goal of 24Mbps declared by the government bodies that fund organisations such as HIE.
Three cabinets, minimal recabling.
So I began again, this time thinking to use existing cabling almost unaltered, but have three cabinets along the main road, one at each side turning - that is one for Colaboll, Tirryside, Acfrish, and Blairbuie, one for Achnairn, one for West Shinness. The advantage of this plan over Plan A is that it substitutes a greater number of cabinets for extensive recabling work, which might well be cheaper overall. However, compared to Plan A, although average figures are significantly improved, unfortunately the worst case figures are slightly worse:
Distance (km) | Speed (Mbps) | |
---|---|---|
Average | 1.70 | 29.1 |
Worst Case | 4.65 | 3.5 |
Number of premises likely to receive less than … | Threshold Speed (Mbps) | Premises |
5 | 4 | |
10 | 15 | |
15 | 27 | |
20 | 32 | |
24 | 35 |
Of the objections to Plan A, three remain for this plan - there are still those who would only get ADSL speeds, and, consequently, we would still not be fully competitive with satellite, and the targets of government funding bodies would still not be met. We need better.
Three cabinets, recabling of Achnairn and Achfrish.
This is a compromise between the two previous plans. It's similar to Plan B, but invokes recabling of the central area by moving the Achnairn cabinet up the hill to be exactly half way between the extreme outlying points of Blairbuie in the north east and the cottages down by the loch side in the south west.
Distance (km) | Speed (Mbps) | |
---|---|---|
Average | 0.89 | 42.6 |
Worst Case | 1.91 | 17.0 |
Number of premises likely to receive less than … | Threshold Speed (Mbps) | Premises |
5 | 0 | |
10 | 0 | |
15 | 0 | |
20 | 10 | |
24 | 18 |
This plan would make the entirety of Shinness compliant with the government's proposed Universal Service Obligation of 10Mbps, and more than three-quarters of it compliant with the Superfast Broadband policy of 24Mbps, and although 18 premises will still be below that level, other schemes failing to bring superfast broadband to every single premises have been funded previously. The plan still involves quite an amount of recabling, but it's the area of cabling that anyway is already in most need of repair. Further, my guess is that if you offered the occupants of the most remote premises the 17Mbps or greater that this plan would bring them instead of the speeds they're getting now, most probably they'd very happily accept the offer!
Plan C was probably near the best that realistically could be achieved using FTTC technology. I didn't consider further schemes with additional 'onesie' cabinets over the three in Plan C, because the fundamental limit is the remoteness of Blairbuie and the cottages by Loch Shin from the rest of us - even a cabinet at the Blairbuie junction at the top of Achnairn would still not bring them up to 24Mbps at the distance they are, so they would have required a cabinet just for themselves and have fibre laid all the way out to it, and I presumed that that could not be justified for four households.
Now that our submission has been rejected, we will have to investigate alternative options, however, as some of them may involve expense on our part, that discussion and consequent investigation must involve participation and decision by the wider community, and is for another day.
Area | Address | Easting | Northing | Distance From Exchange (km) | Distance From Cabinet (km) | Max VDSL Speed (Mbps) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plan A | Plan B | Plan C | Plan A | Plan B | Plan C | |||||
Achfrish | 18 | 256001 | 912325 | 8.03 | 1.93 | 2.62 | 0.74 | 17.0 | 11.7 | 43.0 |
Achfrish | 19 | 256113 | 912191 | 7.85 | 2.10 | 2.45 | 0.91 | 15.5 | 13.3 | 31.0 |
Achfrish | 20 | 256352 | 911911 | 7.48 | 2.47 | 2.08 | 1.28 | 12.5 | 15.5 | 23.0 |
Achfrish | 21 | 256453 | 911795 | 7.34 | 2.63 | 1.94 | 1.44 | 11.7 | 17.0 | 22.0 |
Achfrish | 22 | 256560 | 911765 | 7.23 | 2.73 | 1.83 | 1.54 | 10.8 | 18.0 | 21.0 |
Achfrish | 23 Duchally | 256263 | 912074 | 7.67 | 2.29 | 2.26 | 1.10 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 26.0 |
Achfrish | 24 | 256096 | 912265 | 7.92 | 2.03 | 2.51 | 0.84 | 16.5 | 12.5 | 35.0 |
Achfrish | 25 | 255915 | 912527 | 8.24 | 1.71 | 2.83 | 0.53 | 19.0 | 10.2 | 60.0 |
Achfrish | 26 | 255839 | 912635 | 8.37 | 1.58 | 2.97 | 0.39 | 19.8 | 8.7 | 69.0 |
Achfrish | Ach Cottage | 255930 | 912414 | 8.14 | 1.82 | 2.73 | 0.64 | 18.0 | 10.8 | 51.0 |
Achfrish | Eil Nan Ron | 256438 | 911893 | 7.43 | 2.56 | 2.03 | 1.37 | 11.7 | 16.5 | 22.0 |
Achfrish | Rose Cottage | 256471 | 911837 | 7.35 | 2.61 | 1.94 | 1.42 | 11.7 | 17.0 | 22.0 |
Achfrish | The Forge | 256187 | 912086 | 7.74 | 2.25 | 2.33 | 1.05 | 14.8 | 14.0 | 26.0 |
Achnairn | 11 | 255352 | 912900 | 8.99 | 1.17 | 3.59 | 0.26 | 24.5 | 6.1 | 76.0 |
Achnairn | 12 | 255193 | 912656 | 9.11 | 0.79 | 0.79 | 0.49 | 35.0 | 35.0 | 60.0 |
Achnairn | 13 | 254413 | 912640 | 9.01 | 0.69 | 0.69 | 1.88 | 43.0 | 43.0 | 17.0 |
Achnairn | 14 Alt Na Sorag | 254684 | 912344 | 8.64 | 0.31 | 0.31 | 1.19 | 76.0 | 76.0 | 24.5 |
Achnairn | 17 | 255451 | 912789 | 8.90 | 1.08 | 3.50 | 0.17 | 26.0 | 6.5 | 80.0 |
Achnairn | 17 MH1 | 255437 | 912798 | 8.89 | 1.05 | 3.48 | 0.16 | 26.0 | 6.5 | 80.0 |
Achnairn | 27 The Sheiling | 255638 | 912778 | 8.62 | 1.34 | 3.22 | 0.20 | 23.0 | 7.7 | 80.0 |
Achnairn | 27 The Sheiling MH1 | 255682 | 912752 | 8.57 | 1.38 | 3.16 | 0.21 | 22.0 | 7.7 | 80.0 |
Achnairn | Bethesda | 255486 | 912712 | 8.99 | 1.16 | 3.59 | 0.27 | 24.5 | 6.1 | 76.0 |
Achnairn | Calasona | 255215 | 912892 | 9.50 | 1.17 | 1.17 | 0.73 | 24.5 | 24.5 | 43.0 |
Achnairn | Calasona MH1 | 255230 | 912870 | 9.54 | 1.21 | 1.21 | 0.76 | 24.5 | 24.5 | 35.0 |
Achnairn | Calasona MH2 | 255240 | 912856 | 9.55 | 1.23 | 1.23 | 0.77 | 24.5 | 24.5 | 35.0 |
Achnairn | Calasona MH3 | 255249 | 912844 | 9.57 | 1.24 | 1.24 | 0.79 | 24.5 | 24.5 | 35.0 |
Achnairn | Clach Mhor | 254693 | 912245 | 8.49 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 1.10 | 80.0 | 80.0 | 26.0 |
Achnairn | Gunns Cottage | 255199 | 912645 | 9.09 | 0.77 | 0.77 | 0.77 | 35.0 | 35.0 | 35.0 |
Achnairn | Hale Nook | 254949 | 912396 | 8.75 | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.81 | 69.0 | 69.0 | 35.0 |
Achnairn | Holmlea | 255278 | 912800 | 9.35 | 1.03 | 1.03 | 0.35 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 76.0 |
Achnairn | Mid Rose Cottage | 255484 | 912992 | 8.89 | 1.35 | 3.49 | 0.20 | 22.0 | 6.5 | 80.0 |
Achnairn | Rowanbank | 254757 | 912195 | 8.50 | 0.18 | 0.18 | 1.10 | 80.0 | 80.0 | 26.0 |
Achnairn | Shin View | 255383 | 912825 | 8.93 | 1.08 | 3.52 | 0.20 | 26.0 | 6.5 | 80.0 |
Achnairn | Sutherland Game & Shellfish | 255235 | 912633 | 9.11 | 0.79 | 0.79 | 0.44 | 35.0 | 35.0 | 69.0 |
Achnairn | c/o Sutherland Game & Shellfish | 255288 | 912669 | 9.19 | 0.86 | 0.86 | 0.38 | 31.0 | 31.0 | 69.0 |
Achnairn | The Sycamores | 255602 | 912816 | 8.67 | 1.28 | 3.27 | 0.10 | 23.0 | 7.3 | 80.0 |
Achnairn | Woodend | 255783 | 912752 | 8.52 | 1.54 | 3.11 | 0.36 | 21.0 | 8.2 | 69.0 |
Blairbuie | 28A | 256250 | 913838 | 10.02 | 3.05 | 4.61 | 1.86 | 8.7 | 3.5 | 17.0 |
Blairbuie | 28B | 256250 | 913850 | 10.03 | 3.06 | 4.63 | 1.87 | 8.2 | 3.5 | 17.0 |
Blairbuie | 29N | 256250 | 913874 | 10.06 | 3.07 | 4.64 | 1.90 | 8.2 | 3.5 | 17.0 |
Blairbuie | 29S | 256250 | 913866 | 10.05 | 3.08 | 4.65 | 1.89 | 8.2 | 3.5 | 17.0 |
Collabol Farm | 256225 | 910149 | 5.92 | 2.55 | 0.51 | 0.51 | 12.5 | 60.0 | 60.0 | |
Collaboll | 1 The Cottages | 256386 | 910138 | 5.68 | 2.75 | 0.28 | 0.28 | 10.2 | 76.0 | 76.0 |
Collaboll | 2 The Cottages | 256365 | 910140 | 5.71 | 2.78 | 0.30 | 0.30 | 10.2 | 76.0 | 76.0 |
Collaboll | 91 MH | 256343 | 910149 | 5.74 | 2.80 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 10.2 | 76.0 | 76.0 |
Collaboll | Jasopi | 256115 | 910149 | 5.99 | 2.43 | 0.58 | 0.58 | 13.3 | 51.0 | 51.0 |
Shinness | Ash Cottage | 255232 | 911643 | 7.74 | 0.73 | 2.33 | 1.91 | 43.0 | 14.0 | 17.0 |
Shinness | Elm Cottage | 255235 | 911622 | 7.74 | 0.73 | 2.33 | 1.91 | 43.0 | 14.0 | 17.0 |
Shinness | Lodge | 253929 | 914239 | 11.34 | 3.02 | 0.58 | 0.58 | 8.7 | 51.0 | 51.0 |
Shinness | Lodge Keepers Cottage | 253626 | 914324 | 11.09 | 2.76 | 0.32 | 0.32 | 10.2 | 76.0 | 76.0 |
Shinness | Oak Cottage | 255210 | 911647 | 7.74 | 0.73 | 2.33 | 1.91 | 43.0 | 14.0 | 17.0 |
Shinness | Shin Cottage | 255154 | 911703 | 7.81 | 0.61 | 2.41 | 1.79 | 51.0 | 13.3 | 18.0 |
Shinness | Shore Cottage | 255052 | 911690 | 7.86 | 0.54 | 2.45 | 1.74 | 60.0 | 12.5 | 19.0 |
Tirryside | 1 | 256796 | 910608 | 5.83 | 3.35 | 0.43 | 0.43 | 7.3 | 69.0 | 69.0 |
Tirryside | 2 | 256850 | 910735 | 5.96 | 3.48 | 0.56 | 0.56 | 6.5 | 51.0 | 51.0 |
Tirryside | 3 A Half | 256871 | 910852 | 6.07 | 3.62 | 0.67 | 0.67 | 6.1 | 43.0 | 43.0 |
Tirryside | 3 The Cottage | 256856 | 910868 | 6.10 | 3.62 | 0.70 | 0.70 | 6.1 | 43.0 | 43.0 |
Tirryside | 4 Pondside | 256939 | 910890 | 6.15 | 3.67 | 0.74 | 0.74 | 5.7 | 43.0 | 43.0 |
Tirryside | 4 Pondside MH1 | 256960 | 910890 | 6.16 | 3.67 | 0.76 | 0.76 | 5.7 | 35.0 | 35.0 |
Tirryside | 4 Pondside MH2 | 256965 | 910900 | 6.16 | 3.67 | 0.76 | 0.76 | 5.7 | 35.0 | 35.0 |
Tirryside | 5 Rowancroft | 256993 | 911027 | 6.28 | 3.80 | 0.88 | 0.88 | 5.4 | 31.0 | 31.0 |
Tirryside | 6 | 257091 | 911333 | 6.64 | 4.16 | 1.23 | 1.23 | 4.2 | 24.5 | 24.5 |
Tirryside | 7 Little Achfrish | 257167 | 911439 | 6.76 | 4.28 | 1.36 | 1.36 | 4.0 | 22.0 | 22.0 |
West Shinness | 3 The Cottage | 253181 | 914923 | 11.61 | 3.29 | 0.84 | 0.84 | 7.3 | 35.0 | 35.0 |
West Shinness | 4 | 253108 | 915084 | 11.80 | 3.48 | 1.04 | 1.04 | 6.5 | 28.0 | 28.0 |
West Shinness | 5 Woodside | 253298 | 914739 | 11.41 | 3.10 | 0.65 | 0.65 | 8.2 | 51.0 | 51.0 |
West Shinness | 6 | 253360 | 915202 | 11.97 | 3.65 | 1.20 | 1.20 | 6.1 | 24.5 | 24.5 |
West Shinness | 7 | 253437 | 915131 | 11.88 | 3.56 | 1.12 | 1.12 | 6.1 | 26.0 | 26.0 |
West Shinness | 8 Tigh Na Clough | 253497 | 915058 | 11.78 | 3.46 | 1.02 | 1.02 | 6.5 | 28.0 | 28.0 |
West Shinness | 9 Airde View | 253569 | 914978 | 11.68 | 3.35 | 0.92 | 0.92 | 6.9 | 31.0 | 31.0 |
West Shinness | 10 | 253714 | 914778 | 11.49 | 3.17 | 0.72 | 0.72 | 7.7 | 43.0 | 43.0 |
West Shinness | 91 | 253447 | 915056 | 11.82 | 3.50 | 1.06 | 1.06 | 6.5 | 26.0 | 26.0 |
West Shinness | Birch View | 253663 | 914690 | 11.35 | 3.03 | 0.59 | 0.59 | 8.7 | 51.0 | 51.0 |
West Shinness | Burnside Cottage | 252921 | 915419 | 12.20 | 3.86 | 1.44 | 1.44 | 5.1 | 22.0 | 22.0 |
West Shinness | Calann | 252968 | 915181 | 11.95 | 3.63 | 1.19 | 1.19 | 6.1 | 24.5 | 24.5 |
West Shinness | Lodge | 253066 | 915030 | 11.78 | 3.47 | 1.02 | 1.02 | 6.5 | 28.0 | 28.0 |
West Shinness | The Croft House | 252895 | 915296 | 12.08 | 3.76 | 1.32 | 1.32 | 5.4 | 23.0 | 23.0 |
Average | 255351 | 912671 | 8.75 | 2.24 | 1.70 | 0.89 | 20.0 | 29.1 | 42.6 | |
Worst Case | 12.20 | 4.28 | 4.65 | 1.91 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 17.0 | |||
Number of premises likely to receive less than … | Threshold Speed (Mbps) | Premises | ||||||||
5 | 2 | 4 | 0 | |||||||
10 | 29 | 15 | 0 | |||||||
15 | 42 | 27 | 0 | |||||||
20 | 48 | 32 | 10 | |||||||
24 | 53 | 35 | 18 |
Notes: