7000 homes in Hertfordshire to receive 'lightning-fast' internet upgrade
Thanks to "Project Gigabit", the neighbourhood with the slowest broadband in the UK may see increased internet speeds.
Last updated 18th Aug 2024
WiFi too slow? Tired of having to reset the box just to get rid of that buffering circle?
Good news! Thousands of homes across Hertfordshire are set to reap the rewards of "lightning-fast" internet.
It's part of the Government's £800 million national scheme to improve internet speeds in rural areas of the country.
The deal between telecoms provider Openreach and the Government will see upgrades to broadband infrastructure rolled out to 312,000 rural homes and businesses.
Almost 7,000 properties in Hertfordshire will be part of the upgrade.
It comes after Morriston Close in South Oxhey was named last year as having the slowest broadband speeds in the UK, according to a survey of 250,000 addresses nationwide by comparison company Broadband Genie Speed.
Residents had an average down speed of 0.6Mb, meaning it could take them almost two days to download The Godfather I.
Project Gigabit will aim to make sure “no community is left behind” as it will target areas which are not commercially viable for private providers to invest in.
On their website, the Government describes "Project Gigabit" as: "The government’s flagship £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband."
"It targets homes and businesses that are not included in broadband suppliers’ plans, reaching parts of the UK that might otherwise miss out on getting the digital connectivity they need.
"The fast, reliable connections delivered by Project Gigabit will level-up mostly rural and remote communities across the UK, as well as tackling pockets of poor connectivity in urban areas.
"Having the fastest broadband means households no longer have to battle over bandwidth, people enjoy the freedom to live and work more flexibly, businesses increase their productivity, and vital public services thrive.
"Having the fastest connections also means the UK is fit-for-the-future, with broadband infrastructure designed to deliver for people’s needs for decades to come."
Better internet connections should in turn stimulate local economies, reduce regional disparities and attract new businesses to Hertfordshire, according to HCC.
HCC deputy executive member for resources and performance councillor John Graham said: “We welcome this investment in the UK’s digital infrastructure for our Hertfordshire residents and businesses.
“Digital inclusion is vital in ensuring that rural communities are connected and that lower income families have access to affordable tariffs.”