Superfast broadband

In 2015 with no information forthcoming from BT when the village was likely to be connected to superfast broadband the Parish Council decided to convene a Village Meeting to find out whether there was sufficient interest in households to bring a superfast system to the village via wi-fi.  A company from Essex was offering to do this for us and it was not out of the question cost-wise.  The responses from the Village Meeting were favourable so it was decided to take it forward to get full costings.  This was done and the village had to find £14,500 for the system to be set up.  With the help of the Parish Council and some local supporters/benefactors the money was raised and the system was slowly rolled out.  Rather too slowly for many unfortunately as everyone was desperate to improve their ridiculously low internet speeds.  However, eventually around 18 households (around 15% of the total) were connected and derived great benefit.

Finally BT has woken up to the lost business and begun to roll out their own fibre to 2 new cabinets – one at Pound Green and one at Tillbrooks Hill.  This does not seem to have reduced unduly the numbers on the wi-fi system.  With the very sprawling nature of Cowlinge with many outlying properties the BT system may still not benefit all households and the wi-fi could remain a useful benefit to the village.

Contact the Parish Clerk if you think that wi-fi might be suitable for your property.