A new £3.9 million partnership between BT and the West London Alliance (WLA) will provide five London boroughs with full fibre broadband connections.
The investment will connect public buildings such as libraries, social care, community and youth centres in Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Harrow and Hillingdon. Connections will also be made available to up to 15,000 homes and businesses in the vicinity.
The project has been part-funded by the Government’s Getting Building Fund, and allocated by the Mayor of London. Further investment has come from London Councils’ Strategic Investment Pot, part of their Business Rates Retention Pilot.
David Frances, director of the West London Alliance said, “Our digital infrastructure and inclusion programme has brought together expertise across local authorities and BT to ensure West London is one of the best-connected places in the UK.
“West London is a hub for fibre broadband and 5G investment that is rapidly becoming an economic powerhouse for Digital Innovation and Investment."
Ed Maughan, director for London private and public sector, BT, explained, “This project with WLA will enable us to bring full fibre connections to five West London boroughs that will not just boost internet speeds, but also ensure schools, businesses, households and essential public spaces benefit from future-proofed infrastructure.
“What’s more, it will help tackle digital inequality and bring access to state-of-the-art technology to key community hubs, who can often find it difficult to access funding.”
Theo Blackwell, chief digital officer for London, added, “We are thrilled that BT and West London Alliance have come together to provide thousands of homes, schools, community centres and businesses with ultra-fast broadband, minimising digital inequality and significantly improving people’s lives and livelihoods.”