L&Q to 'future-proof' homes by offering super-fast broadband

L&Q will become the first housing association to offer ultra-fast, ultra-cheap broadband to all their residents.

In the largest scale deployment of full fibre broadband by any UK landlord, the social housing provider plans to deliver it to all existing residents by 2020.

In partnership with Community Fibre, L&Q will offer the lowest cost broadband packages in the market to all tenants.

In addition, Community Fibre will work with the L&Q Foundation to employ people in the localities where the service is provided in roles that will include customer service, sales and installation. The provider will also deliver a free Gigafast™ connection to community spaces including public halls, schools and libraries.

The Ocean Estate in Stepney Green will be the first to receive fibre broadband, which is secure and uncontested, meaning that increased use has no effect on speed.

Andy Brown, Chief Operating Officer, said: “We’re working hard to make things better, faster and lower-cost for customers. Delivering low-cost connectivity to our residents will enable them to take advantage of the well documented financial, economic and social benefits of being online.

“Not only will this help them to access our website, it will also support people working at home or looking for employment.

“Being an early adopter of this technology has given us the opportunity to negotiate great rates for our customers. We want to future-proof our properties so that our residents will be able to benefit from advancements such as mixed-reality technology as they are developed, rather than years later.”

Jeremy Chelot, CEO of Community Fibre, added: "We are delighted to be working with L&Q to offer the UK's fastest Gigabit services across their nationwide portfolio. 

“L&Q's commitment to make more affordable, flexible and better internet available to all their residents has made it easy for Community Fibre to bring this expansion to reality. This partnership showcases how an innovative approach from a housing association can help us to provide a network for the future, and offer the best in connectivity to customers".