Openreach has partnered with Wolverhampton Homes to extend full fibre broadband access to over 4,500 flats and apartments throughout the city.
This upgrade has already begun to enhance internet speeds and reliability for thousands of residents in areas such as Aldersley, Bilston, Central Wolverhampton, Wednesfield, Tettenhall, and Woodcross.
So far, approximately 1,000 homes across 89 buildings have been connected, allowing residents to enjoy full fibre, the UK’s most dependable broadband technology.
The project is ongoing, with plans in place to connect an additional 3,500 premises across 135 more buildings in Wolverhampton.
Kasam Hussain, Openreach’s regional director, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with Wolverhampton Homes. “We’re excited to be working with Wolverhampton Homes on this major broadband upgrade,” he stated. “Collaboration is key to ensuring that residents across the city can access some of the best broadband available in the UK. The support from both the council and Wolverhampton Homes has been crucial in making this possible.”
Recently, representatives from the City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Homes joined engineers on-site to observe the first properties being connected. During the visit, the team outlined the build process and the benefits it brings to local residents.
While the upgrades are not automatic, once full fibre becomes available, tenants can contact their broadband provider, place an order to get connected, and Openreach will handle the rest.
As part of the City of Wolverhampton Council’s commitment to advancing digital infrastructure, an agreement was signed in October 2022 granting Openreach permission to undertake the work across all Wolverhampton Homes properties. This has allowed engineers to swiftly connect hundreds of premises within a few months.
Wolverhampton Homes, an arm’s length management organisation of the City of Wolverhampton Council, oversees the majority of council-owned homes in the area.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, cabinet member for digital and community at the City of Wolverhampton Council, emphasized the importance of fast and reliable broadband for modern living. “We recognize the critical role of broadband in ensuring residents are digitally included, so this expansion is excellent news for the city,” Ahmed noted. “As a digitally focused council, we work closely with Openreach and other providers to enhance connectivity citywide, and we eagerly anticipate the further rollout of full fibre coverage.”
Ian Gardner, director of property services at Wolverhampton Homes, highlighted the benefits for residents. “Partnering with Openreach is a fantastic opportunity for our tenants. Enhanced broadband access is vital for modern living, whether it’s for work, education, or entertainment. This initiative underscores our dedication to improving the quality of life for our community.”
The collaboration between Openreach and Wolverhampton Homes is bringing advanced technology to council flats across the city.
Full fibre technology offers more reliable, resilient, and future-proof connectivity, with fewer faults, consistent speeds, and sufficient capacity to meet growing data demands.
This development not only addresses the current digital needs of residents but also ensures their homes are equipped for the future.
Tenants join over 55,000 other homes and businesses across Wolverhampton that already have access to full fibre broadband, thanks to Openreach’s efforts.
