KCC funding for Broadband in Ulcombe

In order to address broadband ‘not-spots’ across Kent, KCC has been working with selected Parish Councils to provide a solution for those areas that cannot receive a reliable broadband connection. As one of the Parish Councils selected, Ulcombe (working together with KCC), has awarded VFast Internet funding to roll out one of its wimax-class broadband networks in the village.

As part of the allocated funding, a new package is being introduced for new customers in Ulcombe. With a lower monthly cost than the standard packages, the VLite package is aimed at people that require their connection for basic internet browsing and email capabilities.

Q. We couldn't get broadband before, despite being told that we could, so why is this different?

A. The network that VFast will be rolling out is different to conventional broadband that has been offered in the past. Basically, our networks do not use any phonelines at all - everything is done wirelessly using the latest Wimax-class technology. An antenna is fixed to a customers property, presented internally with a standard ethernet cable. The outdoor antenna then transmits wirelessly to one of our nearby repeaters, providing a fully secure broadband connection. The technology we use is different to 'Wi-Fi', utilising a totally different frequency band. Our networks are already in place right the way across Kent, providing solutions for those that have difficulty in getting a satisfactory broadband connection.

Q. The monthly cost of £24.99 on your website sounds a lot to me, is there a cheaper option?

A. Firstly, we try to be as competitive as we can. You have to remember that the technology that we are using does not come cheap. Even so, we feel the packages we offer are good value given that the Home and Max options come with unlimited downloads and up to 10mb download speeds! You must remember as well that we are choosing to invest and provide a service to the Ulcombe area where other providers have refused to do so in the past. But, is there a cheaper option for Ulcombe customers? Yes, there is! There will be a new package for Ulcombe customers that want a broadband connection without all the bells and whistles! If you just want to browse the internet and send emails, then VLite will be ideal. The monthly cost for VLite will be £17.99 per month and have download speeds of 2mbps, with upload speeds of 256kbps. The connection will not be suitable for online gaming or file sharing and will be available for one computer with a usage allowance of 15gb per month.

Q. If i want to get a connection from VFast, what do i need to do?

A. First of all, use the order form below to send us your details and let us know which package you want. Then, an engineer will come out to you at an arranged time to do a site survey and installation. The site survey ensures that you can get a decent line of sight back to one of our repeaters in the area and also allows the engineer to discuss with you the best place for the antenna to go, and also which part of the property you would like the cable run to. The installation itself normally takes between 45mins and 1hr, and once it is done your connection will be working straight away.

Q. Is there anything else i need to know?

A. We try to cover everything on our website, but if you do have any questions you can contact a member of the team by using our contact form or by calling 0845 1211257.

Below is a table to show how the different VFast packages compare: