One-thousand council homes in Colindale’s Grahame Park estate are set to become the first in Barnet to be connected to a new borough-wide gigabit broadband network.
Gigabit broadband is rolled out across the Grahame Park estate
Work on installing network starts this month (February 2021), with Barnet Council partnering with internet service provider Community Fibre to rollout the gigabit fibre pilot scheme. This will see installation of an alternative network to existing telephone lines, to serve Grahame Park with new faster, affordable, and more reliable internet connections.
Cllr Dan Thomas, Leader of Barnet Council, said this digital infrastructure pilot project is being delivered at a time of increased dependence by residents on the internet:
“Installing a new gigabit speed fibre broadband service is an important part of our regeneration plans for Grahame Park. The COVID-19 crisis has led to many of us relying more on the internet to work remotely and home school, as well as keeping in touch with our friends and loved ones.
“We know existing broadband networks are straining to keep up with today’s demands. This highspeed broadband service will offer our residents in Grahame Park access to the internet that will make it easier for the whole household to work, educate and stay connected.”
Installation of this pilot will be delivered in February 2021. When completed in mid-March, the council will work with Community Fibre to connect more council-owned residential properties into a wider new gigabit broadband network for Barnet residents.
Tim Mulvenna, Group Chief Executive of Barnet Homes, said:
"We're delighted that fibre broadband will be piloted at Grahame Park. We are investing £33m into homes on the estate, and working with partners such as Community Fibre to ensure that Grahame Park continues to be a great place to live and work.”
Graeme Oxby, CEO of London’s fastest 100% full-fibre broadband provider Community Fibre, said:
“At Community Fibre, we believe that everyone deserves better broadband. We are thrilled to announce our expansion to enable 1,000 homes with 100% full-fibre network offering gigabit capable internet connectivity to the residents of Colindale’s Grahame Park estate. A good quality broadband has never been so vital to every aspect of our lives. Empowering more and more members of the community in Barnet to stay connected is of the utmost importance to us.”
For more information on Barnet’s gigabit fibre broadband network please visit: www.barnet.gov.uk/broadband