Broadband networks

Broadband connections in Upper Tone vary widely, due to improvements from new service roll-outs but also failures with the last two rounds of contracts awarded by Connecting Devon and Somerset. This has left some areas with ultrafast full-fibre networks provided by Airband, Gigaclear, Openreach or Technological. Others having superfast broadband with fibre to roadside cabinets. And large areas still left with only slow wire connections from local exchanges all the way to their properties.

This page provides details of current services in Upper Tone parishes and the town of Wiveliscombe, links to register interest in full-fibre broadband as networks expand, and information on alternative options (near the end), including wireless broadband on mobile networks. …

Broadband networks in Upper Tone

For current broadband and mobile service availability, see Ofcom’s checker.

The listing below summarises the current situation in each parish or town in the Upper Tone ward (as shown above) and gives recommendations for registering interest for full-fibre broadband in future.

Most properties in Upper Tone without superfast or ultrafast broadband are now eligible for the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which suppliers can use to extend or roll-out new full-fibre networks. So far, Technological are the only provider to proceed with plans to expand their local network using these vouchers. I will continue to update this page, as any further news emerges.

Ashbrittle, Bathealton and Stawley

Bradford on Tone

Partly served by superfast network installed by Openreach
Those in other parts of Bradford on Tone can register interest with Openreach

Chipstable

Mostly served by full-fibre networks installed by Technological and Openreach
Those in other parts of Chipstable can sign-up now or register interest with Technological

Fitzhead

Mostly served by full-fibre networks installed by Airband and Openreach
Those in other parts of Fitzhead can sign-up now or register interest with Airband and Openreach

Halse

Mostly served by superfast network installed by Openreach
Those in other parts of Halse can register interest with Openreach

Langford Budville

Partly served by full-fibre network installed by Openreach
Those in other parts of Langford Budville can register interest with Openreach

Milverton

Mostly served by superfast network installed by Openreach
Those in other parts of Milverton can register interest with Openreach

Nynehead

Partly served by superfast network installed by Openreach
Those in other parts of Nynehead can register interest with Openreach

Oake

Partly served by superfast and full-fibre networks installed by Openreach
Those in other parts of Oake can register interest with Openreach

Sampford Arundel and Wellington Without

Partly served by full-fibre networks installed by Gigaclear or Openreach
Those in other parts of Sampford Arundel or Wellington Without can register interest with Openreach

Wiveliscombe

Central areas served by superfast network installed by Openreach
Langley Marsh to Croford and Spring Grove served by full-fibre network installed by Gigaclear
Those in other parts of Wiveliscombe can register interest with Technological and Openreach

OPEN ACCESS TO NETWORKS: All networks should allow open-access to other Internet Service Providers, although currently only Gigaclear and Technological provide services on their networks. Other service providers can be used on Openreach networks.

Connecting Devon and Somerset

Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) are a government-funded agency reporting to a small board of local councillors. They have been working to provide ultrafast (over 300 Megabits per second) full fibre broadband to rural homes and businesses with slow internet connections (below 30 Mbps).

CDS previously delivered a programme for access to superfast broadband (30 Mbps or higher) in some areas, including parts of Upper Tone. They then awarded contracts to roll-out full fibre broadband to rural areas not served by the market, with the contract for the western part of Somerset (including Upper Tone) awarded to Gigaclear in 2016. This contract failed to make sufficient progress and was terminated in 2019. At the end of 2020, CDS awarded a new contract to Airband to install full-fibre broadband in phases from 2021 to 2024 in the former Somerset West and Taunton area, which included Upper Tone.

From 2019 to early 2021, when there was no CDS contract in place, a government-funded voucher scheme was available to support the installation of rural full fibre broadband, which was used by Technological to build a network covering parts of mid-Devon, Exmoor and Upper Tone. In addition, Openreach were funded by CDS to provide networks in some isolated areas. Openreach installed new full-fibre connections in a few other areas too, notably building second networks in parts of Chipstable and Fitzhead, where Technological and Airband respectively were already building their own publicly-funded networks. This looked like a disruptive tactic by Openreach to cherry-pick from a competitor.

On 31 October 2024, CDS announced they were scaling back Airband’s contract, which was running well behind schedule. The only Airband network now to be completed in Upper Tone is the cluster that includes Fitzhead (C12 on map below).

Other clusters in Upper Tone (C15, C16 and C17) have been removed or ‘descoped’ from the Airband contract. These include all of Ashbrittle, Bathealton and Stawley, and parts of Bradford on Tone, Halse, Langford Budville, outskirts of Milverton including Preston Bowyer, Nynehead, Oake, Sampford Arundel, Wellington Without and outer parts of Wiveliscombe (including Coles Terrace, Culverhead, Nordens Meadow and West Road).

Emerging plans for descoped areas

Some plans for future broadband provision in descoped areas removed from the Airband contract are emerging. The best prospect for most households (without superfast or ultrafast connections) will be through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which is now available (from January 2025) for areas descoped from the Airband contract with CDS.

Technological (see below) have announced that they will be expanding their network using the voucher scheme during 2025 to Ashbrittle, Bathealton and parts of Stawley, including Appley, Kittisford and Stawley.

News for further local networks using the voucher scheme are expected to emerge, hopefully during 2025. I plan to work with parish councils to encourage this, with support provided by Connecting Devon and Somerset.

Another option that may emerge for some households is to be added to a national framework contract with Openreach managed by Building Digital UK. There have some local announcements, but without details on coverage or timing. It may take some years before connections are made in Somerset through this contract, so the best prospect at present is through an installer using the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. So far, Technological is the only service provider to proceed with local plans in areas descoped from the Airband contract.

Airband – legacy cluster

Following the scaling back of their CDS contract (covered above), Airband will now only complete and support a full-fibre cluster in the Fitzhead area in Upper Tone.

Gigaclear – legacy networks

As a legacy from their terminated CDS contract, Gigaclear completed a small full-fibre network, serving a linear path from Langley Marsh through Croford to Spring Grove on the outskirts of Wiveliscombe. This went live at the end of 2021 and most of those on this network can now arrange a connection. Similarly, Gigaclear have a small legacy network serving parts of Sampford Arundel and Wellington Without. To place an order or register your interest for these visit Gigaclear and start by checking availability using your postcode.

Technological – Brendon Hills and beyond

Most progress in rolling out full-fibre broadband in our area has been made by Technological. This local company has built a full fibre network from Shillingford that includes the local parishes of Skilgate, Upton, Huish Champflower, Clatworthy and Chipstable.

Technological’s network has been funded by the rural Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. They are expanding their network further in Chipstable and to Ashbrittle, Bathealton and Stawley during 2025, and are already making good progress.

Openreach – more full fibre in time

Some areas are already served by fibre to their local cabinet in the road, although not yet with full fibre then on to homes and businesses. This includes most of Bradford-on-Tone, Halse, Milverton, Oake and Wiveliscombe and parts of Chipstable and Fitzhead. Fibre to the cabinet provides Superfast broadband which is fast enough for most current needs.

Following a change in Ofcom price cap rules on connection costs, Openreach announced plans in 2021 to upgrade telephone exchanges and extend full fibre broadband to 20 million premises, including hard to serve communities in the South West. Exchanges in the Wellington area and Wiveliscombe are to be covered by the end of 2026. On 28 May 2024, Openreach announced that the Milverton exchange had been added to their programme, which is now to cover 25 million homes and businesses by the end of 2026.

Openreach’s build plans are shown on the map below, which can also be viewed on a larger downloadable PDF).

These future builds are most likely to upgrade those who already have Superfast broadband (fibre to roadside cabinet) to full-fibre Ultrafast broadband (fibre to the property). They may not provide full-fibre connections to those currently without Superfast broadband, who still have slow wire connections all the way to their exchange.

Alternative broadband options

Mobile or wireless 4G broadband can be provided in some areas lacking a reasonable broadband service, with a number of providers including Airband, EE, 02, Three and Vodaphone. Some use this as an interim option until full fibre broadband is available. It can be important to ensure you have a sufficiently strong mobile signal – check local coverage of mobile networks at Ofcom’s availability checker.

Some households use the Starlink satellite broadband service, although this is expensive. Starlink offers fast speeds but has some restrictions compared to a full-fibre connection.

Universal Service Obligation

The universal service obligation is intended as a safety net to allow requests for improved broadband by those with very slow internet connections (below 10 Megabits per second). There is nothing to pay if the cost of building or upgrading your share of a network connection is £3,400 or less, but, if it’s more, you have to pay the excess cost above £3,400. The costs can be a lot more for connections in rural areas, so few follow up once the costs are confirmed. Guidance is provided by Ofgem – see: Your right to request a decent broadband service.

Mobile Boost Voucher Scheme

To improve the mobile phone service, Connecting Devon and Somerset offer a Mobile Boost Voucher Scheme, which can contribute to the cost of improving mobile coverage and connectivity in areas with a good outdoor but poor indoor mobile service. This allows businesses and residents to apply for a voucher of up to £1,300 towards the cost of a mobile signal booster from a number of registered suppliers.

NOTE: This is an updated and revised version of an earlier post on Broadband progress and plans.

UPDATED: 5 February 2025, 4 July 2025