Getting connected – Project Gigabit

We want to make sure all our customers are digitally included and, as part of this commitment, we’re aiming to roll out ‘lightning fast’ fibre broadband to more than eight in ten of our homes.

This project is part of the government’s Project Gigabit, a £5bn programme to connect thousands of homes across the country.

We’re piloting the programme on the Studley Estate in Stockwell. Internet service provider Hyperoptic will be starting installation on 12 August 2024. The first stage of work, to install cables to communal areas and to the outside of buildings, should take around two months to complete. Hyperoptic will then contact customers to arrange installation of cables inside their homes.

Following this pilot, we aim to start rolling out installations across our estates. We’ve included the answers to some frequently asked questions about this project below.

FAQs

When will you be installing in my area?

We’re working with a number of internet service providers to roll out fibre broadband as widely as we can, throughout our estates.

This is a huge programme and we won’t be able to get to all places at once. We’ll publish further plans when we have more information.
What is fibre-optic broadband and what will it mean for me?
Fibre-optic cables can deliver ‘lightning-fast’ internet, with internet speeds of up to 1 Gigabytes per second or 1,000 Megabytes per second, compared with the national average of 50.4 Megabytes per second. If you choose to sign up to an improved broadband service, this means you’ll have:
- More reliable connectivity (no buffering or congestion during peak hours)
- The ability to enjoy better access to online services for work, education, health, wealth and wellbeing
- The chance to connect to family and friends more easily.
What will this cost me?

Installing the cables is free, and there won’t be an increase to your service charge. If you want to take advantage of improved broadband, you can choose to pay for a service.
What does the installation involve?

The first stage of the work will be to install cable junction boxes in communal areas of buildings. This will involve some drilling, but engineers will only be doing this between 9.00am and 5.00pm. They’ll then install cables on the outside of each building or within the building, to just outside each flat door. The second stage will be to install cables inside customers’ homes.
Do I have to take up the new fibre-optic broadband service?

No. Once cables have been installed, you can choose to pay for a broadband service or not.
Will this affect my existing broadband service?

No. This will be a new installation in parallel to any existing internet service you may have.
Who do I contact if I want to take up the new service?

Once work is finished, the internet service provider will be in touch to offer its services.
I already have broadband with another provider. Can I upgrade?

You can upgrade if you want to. But you should first check your existing contract and check when it expires. Otherwise, you could end up paying for two separate broadband services.
Who do I contact if there is a problem during this installation?

The fibre installation team will provide contact details of the installation manager on site during the installation.