Superfast broadband - have you registered your interest yet ?

The current level of registrations on the "Gigaclear" website show that approx 138 people have registered their interest in superfast fibre broadband across Downe and Cudham.   However, we need this figure to be approx 366, so there is a long way to go !!!    In total, I currently estimate we have 915 properties included in Gigaclear's current plans, so there are a lot of people out there not getting the message.

I will state again that this is the BEST chance of getting the BEST solution for our villages (and I'm not being paid by Gigaclear !!!).   You may think fast broadband is not very important now, but please believe me it will be as important as running water or mains electricity in the future.   We simply do not want our villages to fall behind the rest of the UK.

I urge you once again to register (if not already).  Don't forget -  there is NO commitment at this stage.  We are simply trying to persuade this company that we are serious.  Simply go to: Gigaclear plc   Press "get Gigaclear", enter your postcode, and then register.   For those still worried about registering, need help or have further questions, I'm only too happy to try to answer these.  Please e-mail me (with Gigaclear in the title) on:

sj.barnes@btopenworld.com -  and I will endeavour to help.

I'm fully aware that Downe (and Cudham) Mailing only goes to a fraction of the residents, so please help to get the message out there to others.   Even if you intend never to take up the option, I still urge you to register interest.

For those worried about the costs, I have done an anaysis of my own latest (BT) charges in my household to give you an indication of how you might be affected (why not try your own ?):

Steve's phone & broadband (based on Sept 2015 charges)

BT bill  -  cost per month - all prices incl VAT

£20.38  (line rental)

£ 2.10   (caller display)

£20.40  (broadband & weekend calls - unlimited broadband)

£ 2.54   (evening/weekend calls add on)

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£45.42

Gigaclear bill - potential cost per month - all prices incl VAT

(assumes no BT landline - replaced by Vonage)

£38.80 (50mb broadband)

£ 7.00  ("Vonage" internet telephone service)

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£45.80

(the BT costs above do not even include the phone call costs that fall outside the package I pay for)

Expect to see the campaign step up over the autumn -  my current (early) plans are to hold more village question and answer events, door to door visits, publicity, and more communications.   Gigaclear will be assisting and providing me with more statistics etc.

If you wish to be pro--active and help in the campaign -  or have any ideas for engaging the community, please let me know (via e-mail above).  It would be useful to have a few "champions" in Downe and Cudham helping to spread the word and participate in the campaign.

Steve Barnes

Downe Residents' Association