Council signs deal with internet firm Hyperoptic
Credit: Mike Knell/CC BY-SA 2.0
Council tenants across the London borough of Southwark will have access to full-fibre broadband following a deal made by the local authority with broadband firm Hyperoptic.
The agreement will see fibre gigabit full fibre connections supplied to the borough’s portfolio of 53,000 homes and 1,000 commercial properties. As a result of this work, a further 46,000 homes across Southwark will be connected to the fibre network.
Properties on the Osprey Estate in Rotherhithe will be the first homes to benefit from the rollout, with services going live in the next six weeks. The rest of the borough’s flats and houses will follow over the coming year.
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Fiona Colley, Southwark Council cabinet member for finance, modernisation and performance, said: “Once again Southwark Council has shown how we can find innovative new ideas and partnerships to help deliver a better broadband service to our residents. This new agreement with Hyperoptic will complement other projects we have undertaken around the borough and means we can get improved broadband into more of our council estates, increasing the choice for our tenants and making it easier for Hyperoptic to then extend their service to private properties nearby.”
The internet company will also provide connections to council-owned community centres and tenants and residents associations halls. The firm will also offer digital training to council staff and tenants.Hyperoptic has already connected 22,000 homes across Southwark, using 22km of cable. After the conclusion of this project – during which it will lay a further 40km of cabling – it will serve 80% of the buildings in the borough.
Dana Tobak, CEO of Hyperoptic, said: “The role of local government in enabling the future of a full-fibre Britain cannot be understated. Wayleaves are the number one hindrance to urban rollouts. Southwark has chosen not only to help, but also to champion a digital future for its residents.”