Wandsworth Council has been named as the first local authority in London to offer 50 per cent of its council owned properties access to full fibre broadband.

Community Fibre praised Wandsworth Council for setting an example that other landlords should follow in facilitating a full fibre optic roll out and confirmed that Wandsworth residents can now experience Gigabit speeds 33 times faster than the national average.

The council celebrated its 50 per cent milestone with a roundtable discussion at Dimson Lodge in Battersea attended by Margot James, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries, Councillor Kim Caddy, Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Housing, and Jeremy Chelot, CEO of Community Fibre.

Cllr Caddy said: “I am very proud that Wandsworth is leading the way in helping to make sure council tenants have access to fast, reliable broadband.

“Our partnership with Community Fibre has been a resounding success and together we have worked very hard to allow our tenants to make the most of fast online access and all the benefits it brings.

“I know just how important this is for our residents and it is all part of our vision to help people get on in life by giving them access to the same opportunities, regardless of background, age or where you live.”

Margot James, Minister for Digital, said: "We recently announced our ambition for a nationwide full fibre broadband network as part of our plans to build a Britain that's fit for the future.

“Partnerships, like the one between Wandsworth Council and Community Fibre, will be instrumental in delivering this, and we want to see more boroughs working with network operators to make sure residents get the connectivity they need for the future, as soon as possible.”

Community Fibre installs cables into council housing at no cost to the council or the resident. The company also provides employment opportunities for local residents and free connectivity for community spaces.

Over the last three years Community Fibre has raised £40 million in investments and is on track to have connected 50,000 homes in 2018.