by Dan Hopgood and John Dixon
A full-fibre broadband data network is currently being installed throughout much of Southampton by the provider toob; see www.toob.co.uk/locations/southampton/. It is proposed that fibres for this network be laid within our Estate, each of which would terminate at a small access box at the front boundary of every property. Connection may then be subsequently made between the access box and the property if the house owner chooses to take up the fast data service offered by toob. The situation will be different for houses that receive their telephone service by overhead wires from a pole. Then if the service is taken from toob, the fibre will be connected overhead to the house from the pole.
Installing the fibres will require trenching throughout much of the Estate which will cause some disruption and short-term damage to both grass verges and gravel roadways. Underground duct access chambers will also need to be installed in the verges at a few locations. HCEL agrees in principle to the proposal on the grounds that the fibre network would provide further competition in high-speed data services for residents. More information will be provided to residents once further, more detailed discussions with toob have been undertaken.