New digital investment to boost borough’s connectivity
A new investment partnership is bringing a major boost to digital connectivity for homes and businesses across Telford and Wrekin, along with digital skills funding and apprenticeship opportunities.
Telford & Wrekin Council has partnered and facilitated with Virgin Media O2 Business to deliver a multi-million pounds boost to connectivity infrastructure, digital inclusion and job opportunities in the borough.
It will provide access to ultra-fast fibre connectivity for more than 200 public buildings, including schools, libraries and council offices. The introduction of new cabling will also lay the foundations for an extra 12,000 homes and businesses not currently connected to the Virgin Media O2 fixed network to access ultra-fast fibre services in the future.
Once connected to the Virgin Gigabit network, the average download speed as reported recently by Ofcom, is expected to be up to1,130Mbps, or 22 times faster than the national average speed of 50.4Mbps.
Councillor Rae Evans (Labour), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Customer Service, said: “We’re excited to be joining forces with Virgin Media O2 Business to broaden ultra-fast broadband access for our residents, as well as tackling digital exclusion and creating exciting career opportunities.
“It will future-proof our borough with access ultra-fast connectivity, and lay the infrastructure for an extra 12,000 homes and businesses in the borough to be able to access the full-fibre network.
“This investment will also see improved connectivity at council buildings, public offices, schools and libraries across the borough, making it easier for us to do business as a council, and easier for people to access our services online.
“This partnership will help us to support digitally excluded residents to get online more easily and build the skills and confidence needed to do so, through funding and volunteering support, as well as offering apprenticeships and work placements.
“We know that this investment will have a real impact on the lives of people across Telford and Wrekin, and make sure that residents and business alike have access to fast, full fibre broadband, as we continue our commitment to protect, care and invest to create a better borough.”
Through the partnership agreement, and as part of its commitment to creating a lasting impact on communities, Virgin Media O2Business will also provide in-kind connectivity to the network for local voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.
Alongside this, they will fund initiatives and work with the council to support residents most at risk of digital exclusion and improve access to services. This includes an apprenticeship scheme and work placements, a digital learning fund, volunteering and a donations to support Telford &Wrekin Council’s Care Leaver Covenant.
Mike Smith, Director of Large Enterprise and Public Sector at Virgin Media O2 Business, added: “We’re so proud to be working with the Telford & Wrekin Council to boost its digital infrastructure and help enable more local people to embrace the potential that connectivity brings.
“Today, digital connectivity isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’ – it’s an essential. We’re looking forward to seeing this project make huge strides to tackle digital exclusion in Telford and Wrekin, giving people access to new opportunities, educational resources and keeping them connected when they need it.”
Survey work is due to start in the next few weeks, ahead of installation of the new ultra-fast cabling which is expected to start early next year.
