Barnet Council has announced today (Monday 15 March) that it will provide highspeed broadband connection to all of Barnet’s council-owned homes by 2023, as part of its regeneration plans to upgrade the aging network currently serving the borough.
Councillor Dan Thomas, Leader of Barnet Council, during the installation of highspeed broadband at the Grahame Park estate in Colindale
The council’s Gigabit Broadband programme will see Barnet Council working with a number of internet service providers to deliver faster services to as many homes as possible before the end of 2021. Commitment has now been secured for the 14,000 council-owned homes in Barnet to be connected to gigabit broadband networks by 2023.
The first 1,000 council-owned homes in Colindale’s Grahame Park estate were connected as part of a pilot project in February, and further plans are in place that will see Community Fibre extend this to 4,300 more council-owned homes across Colindale, Burnt Oak, Edgware, Hendon, and West Hendon by the end of the year.
Cllr Dan Thomas, Leader of Barnet Council, said that gigabit broadband will make Barnet fit for the future:
“Securing investment in this fibre broadband network ensures that our residents can benefit from highspeed internet connections. Life in the time COVID-19 has increased our digital dependency for remote working, home schooling and staying connected. Having a reliable and affordable highspeed network will ensure that Barnet will continue to be a great place to live, work and study.”
Tim Mulvenna, Group Chief Executive of Barnet Homes, said:
"The installation of fibre broadband to Barnet Homes properties means our residents will be able to access high-speed internet and communicate more effectively when at home. With more services moving online, fibre broadband will enable our residents to access them using an affordable provider."
With new networks installed across the borough, Barnet Council expects this to unlock further investment plans that will extend access to all Barnet residents and businesses. The Gigabit Fibre Broadband programme will ensure the council meets government targets to have fibre broadband in most UK homes by 2025. Residents can do their part by registering their interest in receiving fibre broadband with network operators.
This new investment builds on commitments last year by Virgin Media to upgrade its own network, mostly across the north and east of the borough, to gigabit fibre services by the end of 2021.
Graeme Oxby, CEO of London’s fastest 100% full-fibre broadband provider Community Fibre, said:
“We are proud to be able to deliver our 100% end-to-end full-fibre broadband connectivity to 14,000 homes across Barnet. It’s important to us that residents in the community have access to good quality broadband to stay connected and access all the critical services online.”
To find more details about the programme and how to register your interest with the key operators, please go to: www.barnet.gov.uk/broadband.