Boundary Estate - Broadband access
Boundary Estate - Broadband access
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Fibre optic - updates
October 2025
Planning application submitted PA/25/01790/NC for Chertsey House, Marlow House, Shiplake House, Sunbury House, Taplow House And Wargrave House
August 2025
Planning applications submitted for Datchet House and the blocks with worst bandwidth - Walton, Henley, Cookham, Clifton, Molesey, Laleham, Hedsor, Abingdon, Benson, Iffley, Sandford and Hurley. Permission due to be granted end October, work can commence once permission is granted.
June 2025
Planning applications are being prepared for submission to Tower Hamlets Council, There has been some struggle persuading the council to accept the applications but the format has now been agreed. Applications will be made in three groups:
(1) Datchett House
(2) Blocks coloured green on the map which have reasonable FTTC speeds
(3) Blocks coloured red on the map which suffer some of worst 'not-spot' connectivity in the UK.
Blocks with poorest connectivity will be prioritsed., although Datchett may be the quickest to approve as the building is not listed.
Timescale
Following submission of planning applications, allow up to two months for approval then contractors can proceed onsite. All residents should receive notifications once the applicaitons are submitted.
Definitions
ADSL standard copper wire phone lines all the way. This is the least common and slowest type of internet connection used these days.
ADSL standard copper wire phone lines all the way. This is the least common and slowest type of internet connection used these days.
FTTC a fibre optic connection to a street cabinet, connected to the flat by traditional copper wire. BT markets these as “fibre essentials”, “fibre 1”, “fibre 2”. There are many different providers (including BT, Sky, TalkTalk etc). They all use the same BT/OpenReach network to deliver their services. This is the most common type of internet connection.
FTTC a fibre optic connection to a street cabinet, connected to the flat by traditional copper wire. BT markets these as “fibre essentials”, “fibre 1”, “fibre 2”. There are many different providers (including BT, Sky, TalkTalk etc). They all use the same BT/OpenReach network to deliver their services. This is the most common type of internet connection.
FTTP a fibre optic connection that comes directly to the flat. BT markets these as “full fibre”. Other providers include Community Fibre, Hyperoptic. Boundary Estate blocks do not have FTTP connections yet.
FTTP a fibre optic connection that comes directly to the flat. BT markets these as “full fibre”. Other providers include Community Fibre, Hyperoptic. Boundary Estate blocks do not have FTTP connections yet.
Mobile broadband an internet connection delivered over the 4G/5G mobile phone networks. Speeds are often better than FTTC but depend on a good phone signal connection.
Mobile broadband an internet connection delivered over the 4G/5G mobile phone networks. Speeds are often better than FTTC but depend on a good phone signal connection.
Boundary Estate blocks on the south part of the estate have very poor internet access. ADSL is the only option as their phone lines are connected directly into Shoreditch Telephone Exchange via ageing copper wire, with no street cabinet. FTTC isn’t available for these blocks.
Improving Broadband connectivity
Improving Broadband connectivity
Full Fibre
The council is developing a “full fibre” solution (FTTP, fibre to the premises) for all of the blocks on the estate. This will be piloted first on a few blocks which have been selected for their existing poor connectivity and to test the installation on a variety of different block types.
The pilot blocks are Abingdon, Cookham, Clifton, Henley, Laleham and Sandford (update 19/2/24 - Marlow and Shiplake added to this list) (update 2025 - all blocks will be installed at the same time, with priority for the low-bandwidth blocks)
Timescale - unknown, but expectations are for completion by Summer Autumn 2024 2025. The only hold-up is a contractual sign-off by the council’s legal department.
Update 11/4/24 Contracts have been signed. Planning packs prepared but not submitted. Planning applications take 8-12 weeks, work can commence following approval.
Update June 2025 huge hold-ups with the planning offiers, now resolved, submissions imminent.
Update August 2025 - applications for the worst-affected blocks submitted
Mobile broadband
Mobile broadband
Some residents have had success by shifting to a mobile broadband solution. Results will vary from flat to flat, block to block depending on mobile signal quality, but reports so far have varied from 'good' to 'unreliable'.
Recommendations from residents who have had success with this:
EE offers mobile broadband with a 5G router, £20-£50 per month depending on date consumption [ link ]
Vodafone Gigacube £30-60 per month [ link ]
Buy a mobile broadband 5G router. Residents have used the ZTE MC801A but there are others. It must be unlocked so that you can use it with any mobile provider. Then buy a data SIM card - Lebara and Vodafone have been used successfully. 5G modems are priced anywhere between £150-£300. Monthly data sim deals from £5 upwards (Lebara)
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