Major new Swindon housing development to get super-connected
A major new housing development in Swindon is to be connected with ultrafast fibre broadband following an agreement between Swindon Borough Council and BT’s local network business, Openreach.
Broadband speeds up to 330Mbps will be available to the 3,650 houses and flats included in the next phases of the Wichelstowe development in Middle and West Wichel - making them some of the best connected properties in the UK.
The ultrafast speeds will enable every member of households on the new housing development to quickly do their own thing online, all at the same time, whether that is streaming high definition films, downloading music, gaming, studying or keeping in touch with loved ones.
This will be made possible as a result of technology called fibre to the premises (FTTP) broadband where fast fibre is run directly from the telephone exchange to the property, rather than to the roadside cabinet.
Welcoming the announcement, Councillor Mary Martin, cabinet member for corporate, customer and digital services for Swindon Borough Council, said: “Wichelstowe will be a high quality sustainable development with a focus on creating a great place for people to live, and we are pleased to be working with Openreach to make super-fast fibre available to every home in these new developments in Middle and West Wichel.”
Paul Coles, BT South West regional manager, said: “High-speed fibre broadband is increasingly being seen as a ‘must have’ technology.”
“Whatever you do online you can do it better with this exciting fibre technology whether it is education and learning, e-commerce, social media, home entertainment or just staying In touch with friends and relatives.
“We look forward to working with Swindon Borough Council and the developers to ensure that residents of the new residential development in Wichelstowe enjoy the full benefits of ultrafast fibre broadband.”
Residents of the new development will need to sign up for a fibre broadband package from an internet service provider of their choice to benefit from the ultrafast speeds on offer.
Work is anticipated to start on the new development in 2016.
