Hyperfast broadband rolled out to customers

Fast, low-cost broadband is being rolled out to social housing residents in Walsall, thanks to an agreement between whg and internet service provider Hyperoptic.

In total 1014 households are set to have access to the ultrafast broadband services.

The partnership aims to support customers who may be digitally excluded by providing an affordable broadband option. Its sole purpose is to help increase accessibility and self-sufficiency by adding a more affordable and flexible choice of broadband service packages for residents.

This has been made possible after whg and Hyperoptic entered into a multi-site  telecommunications agreement, which will enable their broadband network to cover 236 sites across whg’s portfolio in the region. This complex arrangement will future-proof the provision of top-quality broadband offering to whg’s residents.

The new initiative includes free 1 GB wi-fi connections in communal areas and local community hubs, enabling local residents to have access to the web with zero cost. Free broadband vouchers are also available for the most digitally excluded.

Director of Stronger Communities Connie Jennings said: “As every aspect of life moves online, digital connectivity is a daily necessity, not a luxury – GP Appointments, registering children for school and applying for jobs are all online. But far too many people are excluded from online services due to the cost of internet access.

“We want to ensure that as many of our customers as possible have access to the internet and related digital technology by removing some of the barriers they face to getting online. It’s great to see so many of our customers already benefitting from this partnership.”

Justine Ball, partner at law firm Shakespeare Martineau who advised whg on the project, said: “We’re delighted to have supported whg with this complex agreement, as well as provide strategic advice from inception to completion of the transaction. Combining telecoms law and series of regulation, we needed to ensure both longevity, but also flexibility, to meet whg’s prospective building and development plans over the next two decades.”