Around a quarter of a million households in Greater Manchester are eligible for a boost to their connectivity, thanks to a UK-first partnership between local government, housing providers, and the telecoms industry.
The new ‘Wayleave’ agreement, struck between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), social housing providers, and broadband providers, will mean that tenants will be able to access new fibre broadband connectivity at cheaper rates, and with less hassle.
Greater Manchester Housing Providers, which is responsible for 260,000 social homes across the city-region, has signed the new agreement with Virgin Media O2, Nexfibre, Openreach and Hyperoptic to standardise and streamline the process of getting connected to fibre broadband.
The agreement is the first of its kind in the UK and will see social housing providers and industry leaders come together to reduce costs, tackle the digital divide, and build the foundations for future improvements.
Around one in five residents in Greater Manchester lives in social housing, and GMCA research estimates that up to 60 per cent of these residents faces digital exclusion of some form – including cost barriers. Since the start of the cost-of-living crisis, around 1 million people nationally have lost broadband access because of rising prices.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:
“Being able to get online quickly and easily is essential for staying in touch, accessing services, and finding new opportunities. It’s an essential part of modern life – which is why it’s so important that we tackle digital exclusion.
“I’m pleased to see our housing providers and industry leaders coming together in this new partnership to connect more people across our city-region, so we can ensure that no one is left behind.”
Cllr Nick Peel, Portfolio Lead for Digital, added:
“If landlords want to make sure their residents are digitally included now, and that they will be into the future, then they should consider signing up.
“The aim to connect as many homes as possible is a good one. Tenants need fast broadband to support their work and education, and to access healthcare services and entertainment. The wayleave agreement gives social landlords a way of equipping their properties and enabling it.”
Nick Horne, Chief Executive at Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, said:
“Social housing providers across Greater Manchester are dedicated to raising the standards and quality of our homes, and ensuring access to digital connectivity is a key part of this. By granting wayleave agreements, we can enable internet service providers to start their work quickly, so connections can be up and running as soon as possible. Their commitment to this agreement could bring digital access to thousands of homes.”
Robert Thorburn, Openreach Partnership Director for the North of England, said:
“We’ve long had a commitment to help bridge the digital divide and make sure fast and reliable broadband connectivity is available to all, but gaining access to upgrade social housing developments can be tricky.
“So we’re excited to partner with Greater Manchester Housing Providers to create an easier path for tenants to access the largest full fibre broadband network in the UK. They’ll be able to realise all the benefits it can bring – like working or studying from home, using online public services or streaming entertainment and sports.
“What’s more, we’re used by more than 700 service providers, meaning people aren’t locked in with a limited choice of supplier and can shop around for the best broadband, phone and TV deals.
“We’re not stopping here and would love to talk to other social housing providers who’d like their tenants to have access to our fast, reliable broadband network.”
Julie Agnew, Managing Director of Fixed Network Expansion at Virgin Media O2 said:
“Virgin Media O2 is committed to bringing next-generation connectivity to the people of Greater Manchester. We have a proud history of working with the GMCA to help unlock the potential of the region and this new agreement will accelerate the rollout of our fast and reliable fibre broadband in the area, bringing digital services to many more homes.”
