Openreach’s collaboration with Westfield, East Sussex, under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, has identified 330 premises in the area that could benefit from access to the ultrafast fibre network.
Conducted with the help of the local parish council and spurred by community support, the initiative was made possible through government vouchers in conjunction with contributions from Openreach, which has helped finance this digital upgrade. The extensive survey that was provided to the community in 2020 revealed an amazing 70% were in favour of improved broadband services (not surprising; who wouldnt want better broadband!)
Jane Clarke, Clerk and Financial Officer of Westfield Parish Council and Tikki Moran, key community volunteer involved in the initiative. Jane was the first person within the Westfield team to voice her enthusiasm. She says “The benefit of having reliable broadband for local residents and businesses is completely transformative.”. Jane said, “Having decent broadband to keep people connected and allow people to work effectively from home is an amazing boost for the Parish.”
In the future, this project is extending connectivity to hundreds more premises in Westfield.
Jessica Bita, Rural Engagement Manager for Openreach, underscored the company’s commitment to nationwide full fibre deployment, highlighting the significant investment of £15 billion dedicated to connecting 25 million homes across the UK. Bita emphasized the importance of government support in this endeavor, emphasizing its role in facilitating connectivity, particularly in harder-to-reach communities.
By partnering with local communities and leveraging government initiatives, Openreach continues to play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide and bringing high-speed broadband services to areas like Westfield, enabling residents to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
