Low Response to 5G Broadband Plan

Announcement to install multi-million pound full fibre broadband in Wolverhampton attracted only four responses.

05:27 21 February 2020

Wolverhampton is one of the few places in Europe where 5G broadband will be deployed. The scheme is expected to make the city more attractive to outside vendors and boost its economy. 

 

However, the council only received four responses following the announcement of the installation of multi-million pound full fibre broadband in the city. 

 

Cllr Phil Bateman (Lab. Wednesfield North) told the meeting: "This is a huge project for our city. We're talking about millions of pounds of investment here, so I would be interested to know why there were only four responses to the public consultation.

 

"We should be out shouting about this so everyone is aware of it. These are the first steps in a multi-million pound project that is going to affect us for years to come.

 

"This has opened up a huge area of issues for me. We're setting out on changing the very foundations of our city. I want to be certain we're not starting out on the wrong foot, because if we are it will be like building on sand.

 

"The challenge for us all is huge. It will mean roads all over the city having to be dug up and a lot of work. We want to make sure we're on the right path. Communication is key to this." he added.

 

Cllr Momenabadi, who is the city's Digital Innovation Champion, said: "I want to assure everyone that we're not just powering ahead with this in a blinkered fashion. Our dedicated team is working very closely with highways and everyone else involved in this.