London’s Wandsworth reaches 50 per cent full-fibre access for social housing

Wandsworth Council has enabled 50 per cent of its council owned properties access to full fibre broadband via its partnership with Community Fibre.

Earlier this year, Chancellor Philip Hammond set a target for 15 million homes and businesses to have full-fibre broadband by 2025 (see UK Chancellor pledges full fibre to majority by 2025). The council celebrated its milestone with a roundtable discussion at Dimson Lodge – a Wandsworth Council clubroom for local sheltered housing residents, which has been equipped with free Gigabit connectivity – attended by minister for digital and the creative industries Margot James; councillor Kim Caddy, Wandsworth’s cabinet member for housing; and Jeremy Chelot, CEO of Community Fibre.

Margot James commented: ‘We recently announced our ambition for a nationwide full fibre broadband network as part of our plans to build a Britain that's fit for the future. Partnerships, like the one between Wandsworth Council and Community Fibre, will be instrumental in delivering this, and we want to see more boroughs working with network operators to make sure residents get the connectivity they need for the future, as soon as possible.’

Kim Caddy added: ‘I am very proud that Wandsworth is leading the way in helping to make sure council tenants have access to fast, reliable broadband. Our partnership with Community Fibre has been a resounding success and together we have worked very hard to allow our tenants to make the most of fast online access and all the benefits that it brings.’

Image shows minister for digital and the creative industries Margot James with Jeremy Chelot, CEO of Community Fibre at the recent roundtable discussion