Superfast broadband is the next generation of broadband. With superfast broadband, users can download music, videos and games and stream television at speeds much higher than they may currently be used to.

Superfast broadband is generally considered to be internet access with connection speeds of greater than 25 mega bits per second (mbps), and ideally around 30mbps, but some services can achieve speeds of up to 100mbps and emerging technologies will push these speeds higher.

Different, more reliable, technology is used to deliver the service. Traditional ADSL broadband is delivered through copper telephone lines, but superfast broadband commonly uses fibre optic cable made up of glass and plastic, which allows for much higher download speeds as shown below.

Download times for files [source: Analysys Mason, BT]

20 photos (50mb) downloads in 3.5 minutes on 2mbps ADSL broadband and downloads in 10 seconds on 40mbps superfast broadband.

A small home movie (100mb) downloads in 7 minutes on 2mbps ADSL broadband and downloads in 4 seconds on 40mbps superfast broadband.

An entire CD (650mb) downloads in 45 minutes on 2mbps ADSL broadband and downloads in 2 minutes on 40mbps superfast broadband.

An entire DVD (5gb) downloads in 6 hours on 2mbps ADSL broadband and downloads in 17 minutes on 40mbps superfast broadband.

A computer back-up (20gb) downloads in 23 hours on 2mbps ADSL broadband and downloads in 1 hour on 40mbps superfast broadband.

Benefits to you

• Faster to download music, games and films
• Shop online
• Stay in touch with family and friends using email and social networks
• Pay bills online
• Access to services and information

Benefits to businesses

• Access to global marketplaces
• Online communication tools enabling flexible working
• Exposure to potential customers
• Networking opportunities and links to other businesses.

Benefits of accessing public services

• Faster broadband provides more ways for Central Bedfordshire Council and partners to keep in touch and deliver services to our communities
• Faster broadband in schools equips children with IT skills for the future

What is it?

Delivery of the Local Broadband Plan (PDF 889KB) will help to ensure at least 90% of Central Bedfordshire has access to super fast broadband. In areas which cannot be served by traditional super fast broadband technology, the plan will help to put in place alternative services so that all residents and businesses have access to minimum standards of broadband. 

Putting in place a comprehensive plan will help to attract both public and private sector investment to secure the necessary infrastructure to support the role out of Broadband infrastructure.

How much better will it be?

The Local Broadband Plan (PDF 889KB) is designed to help extend coverage of super fast broadband (speeds greater than 25 mega bits per second (mbps) though it is expected that improvements in technology will lead to speeds much higher than this) in areas of Central Bedfordshire which are not currently being served by industry, or are unlikely to be served between now and 2015.

Not all Central Bedfordshire residents are able to access existing broadband services.  As such, in addition to supporting super fast broadband, we are seeking to ensure that all residents have access to a minimum speed of 2mbps.

The Local Broadband Plan (PDF 889KB) was approved by Central Bedfordshire Council's Executive on 14th February 2012.

Our plan will inform joint working with Milton Keynes Council and Bedford Borough Council to secure external funding and procure a private sector partner to deliver the necessary infrastructure in Central Bedfordshire. We hope to be in a position to start infrastructure roll out in early 2013.

A key part in improving access to services and securing investment in new infrastructure is identifying local demand for improved services. This will help with the development of our Local Broadband Plan and support our engagement with the market to maximise investment in the area and roll out of super fast broadband.

By completing the short survey below you are helping us to identify demand across the area. In turn this will inform industry of where there is the greatest need for super fast broadband. 

This will be an ongoing survey throughout 2012 so that we can continue to monitor levels of demand for superfast broadband in Central Bedfordshire. We will take an initial analysis of the results in mid-February 2012 to support the development of our Local Broadband Plan.

Please complete one survey per household or business premises.

Superfast broadband survey

We need your help to secure super fast broadband services in Central Bedfordshire and ensure that our residents and businesses are able to benefit fully from high speed broadband access.

Adding your voice to the growing number of people wanting better broadband, will help us to demonstrate demand within Central Bedfordshire and make the case for investment from broadband infrastructure providers.

In addition to raising the demand for services it is critical our communities and business are able to fully make use of broadband services and realise the benefits of this. As such we are seeking to support community broadband champions to:

• Promote the need for and demand for broadband locally
• Support residents and businesses in using the web
• Arrange/support local events

We are looking to work with Town and Parish Councils to promote local projects and we are also supporting national projects such as the Race Online and Go On Campaigns.

Please complete the online survey to register your demand for broadband and visit the above websites to support local broadband in your community.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has launched a £20 million Rural Community Broadband Fund (RCBF). The RCBF will provide up to 50% of total ‘eligible' costs to communities located in hard-to-reach locations who can demonstrate a local need and a demand for super fast broadband, and the ability to make it happen at a reasonable cost. Eligible costs would include:

• Capital works costs
• Facilitation and technical support costs
• Other service establishment costs, but not ongoing maintenance costs.

It will be important for projects to be consistent with the Local Broadband Plan. For further details please visit the Rural Community Broadband Fund or Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity.