VIVID and CTG to Deploy Full Fibre for 16,000 MDU Homes in England

Affordable homes’ provider VIVID, which serves the South of England, has teamed-up with the Complete Technology Group (CTG) to help it roll-out new full fibre broadband infrastructure across the high rise blocks of flats (MDUs) in its portfolios – reflecting about 16,000 homes.

CTG is a company that aims to help expand fibre optic broadband to poorly served communities, including multi-occupancy, social and new-build housing, whilst at the same time improving installation standards, accountability, and reducing the risk of fire. Just to be clear, CTG doesn’t build their own end-to-end Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network, instead they build infrastructure that makes it easier for ISPs and operators from different networks to link into them.

CTG will work with its sister company, Complete Fibre, and VIVID to optimise full-fibre network solutions for each MDU in the housing provider’s portfolio. As part of this deal, CTG will manage all communications with ISPs, provide advisory and planning services to VIVID regarding the digital infrastructure of its buildings, and then audit all work undertaken to ensure the highest compliance and safety standards are met.

Meanwhile, VIVID will install Complete Fibre, a single, open-access ‘plug-and-play’ digital infrastructure within suitable MDUs, which multiple ISPs can connect into. It means residents can still choose between broadband providers, but they face minimal disruption to their lives, or the integrity of the buildings, thanks to only a single installation taking place.

Matt Bellamy, VIVID’s Head of Asset Strategy and Delivery, said:

“The safety and quality of our homes is always our utmost priority. Working with CTG means we can deliver full-fibre infrastructure to all our customers living in high-rise flats, quickly, with little disruption but ensuring greater choice. Making our homes digital ready for fibre deployment, we can ensure that our customers have access to modern digital services when they are available. This will not only contribute to digital inclusion but allow this to take place at a faster rate than would have otherwise been possible.”

Sadly, the announcement makes no mention of the timescale for completion of this project or how much it’s likely to cost. CTG already works with dozens of landlords and housing groups, which have a collective portfolio of over 500,000 homes.