The Connected Counties superfast broadband programme has now closed.
For information about broadband in Buckinghamshire, visit Buckinghamshire County Council's broadband programme.
Between 2013 and 2021 Hertfordshire delivered more than 50,000 superfast connections (24mbps and above) as part of a joint project with Buckinghamshire, the Hertfordshire LEP, Openreach and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). That means over 98.5% of residents and businesses in the county were able to order a Superfast connection.
In early 2019, BT (Openreach) were successful in bidding for a £900,000 contract, with an aid intensity of 85%, to deliver an additional 400 superfast Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) connections across Hertfordshire. This included nearly 200 business premises, under the Rural Development Programme for England as part of a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs funded rollout.
Can you get a fibre connection?
Find out if you can already order a fibre connection by using one of these online checkers:
Gigabit-capable broadband means any technology that can deliver 1 gigabit per second. In context, that's fast enough to download an HD film in under 1 minute.
Cheaper “Social” Broadband Tariffs – Could you be eligible?
Social tariffs are discounted broadband and mobile deals for people on Universal Credit and other benefits. These tariffs are delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price. Amid rising living costs, more broadband and mobile companies are beginning to offer social tariffs to help customers on low incomes.
A large number of broadband providers now offer discounted social tariff products, with some offering deals from as low as £15 per month. This could represent a saving of more than £180 per year, which is around 50% compared to the average cost of broadband.
If you receive government benefits, you could qualify for one of these discounted price plans. For more information on eligibility and current available cheaper tariffs, visit www.ofcom.org.uk/cheap-broadband
Other options for improving connection speeds in Hertfordshire
There are a still number of options for improving your connection speed if you are a resident in Hertfordshire:
Government Gigabit broadband voucher schemes
This rural gigabit voucher scheme continues to help rural premises to improve their connectivity.
Small businesses and local communities can put the vouchers towards the installation cost of a gigabit-capable connection. Rural businesses can claim up to £3,500 against the cost of connection, either individually or as part of a group project. Residents can receive a voucher worth £1,500 as part of a group project.
These schemes may still require further funding from the local community, but this would be made clear by the supplier before any contract was agreed.
The right to request a decent broadband service - The Universal Service Obligation
If you're unable to get a download speed of 10mbps and an upload speed of 1mbps then you now have the right to request an upgraded connection, with a subsidy of up to £3,400 available for eligible premises.
The scheme is being run by BT in Hertfordshire and is being overseen by Ofcom.
Your home or business could be eligible if it:
- has no access to existing decent broadband; and
- will not be covered by a public broadband scheme offered by the UK and devolved governments in the next 12 months.
Get the most out of your existing broadband connection
Wi-Fi can be easily disrupted by environmental factors such as home wiring, walls and other electrical devices in the home (including Sky boxes and consoles). You may be able to boost current speeds by making a few simple changes or speaking to your Internet Service Provider.
Even if you can't already receive superfast broadband, reviewing the way your equipment is set up could still be hugely beneficial in getting the most out of your existing service, including moving your router or plugging some devices directly into your router.
We always recommend speaking to your current Internet Service Provider before making any major changes.
Openreach – Wholesale passive and access product and pricing list
Any questions? Contact us at hertsbroadband@hertfordshire.gov.uk.