G.Network to Rollout Full Fibre Across Social Housing in Hackney

London-focused gigabit-broadband ISP G.Network has signed a “City Wide Wayleave” (legal land access) agreement with the Hackney Council in London, which will see them build their new Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to cover public housing in the borough.

The operator currently claims to cover around 400,000 premises in the capital (up from 300k in Jan 2022) with their full fibre network and their longer-term aim is to reach 1.3 million premises by around the end of 2026. Most of their build is currently taking place across the Boroughs of Westminster, Camden, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington, Hackney and other Inner London boroughs.

At present G.Network is already able to connect over 30,000 premises in Hackney and the terms of the new agreement will see them extend this to cover at least 80% of Hackney Council housing in the next 3 years, although the exact rollout plan is still being developed. The operator is also in negotiations with a number of other councils about signing similar agreements.

Initial work on the build itself is expected to start by the end of this summer 2022. But we should point out that other operators, such as Hyperoptic, have also reached similar agreements with Hackney Council in the recent past (here).

Kevin Murphy, G.Network CEO, said:

“We’re looking forward to rapidly increasing that figure now we have an agreement in place with the Council. Across London, so many residents are still reliant on outdated broadband connections. We’re delighted to be bringing better connectivity to Hackney.”

Cllr Clayeon McKenzie, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, said:

“With much of our everyday life now online it is important that our residents have access to good and reliable broadband services. Our Better Broadband initiative sees us working with G.Network and others to roll out full fibre broadband to at least 80 percent of Hackney Council homes over the next three years.

The programme also provides additional benefits including providers offering apprenticeships and job opportunities to residents, training for those wanting to enhance their digital skills, free fast broadband connections to a number of community facilities, and targeted discounts to some residents who are in financial hardship and are digitally excluded.

We are delighted to be working with G.Network to help break down the barriers our residents may face accessing full fibre broadband and in learning new skills that will equip them for life.”

Customers of the network tend to pay from £22 per month for an unlimited 150Mbps (50Mbps upload) package on a 24-month term, which includes a free connection and wireless router. Prices then go up to £48 per month for their top symmetric speed 900Mbps (gigabit) package. Anybody taking out a 12-24-month term will also currently benefit from a 6-month free service discount.