Not all of our homes have access to Fibre Broadband yet so we’re working with various installers (Including Openreach, Virgin, Hyperoptic and City Fibre) across England to give them access to install the main equipment to enable you to connect to Fibre Optic Broadband.
Any suppliers intending to install Fibre Optic Broadband cabling to our properties need to gain permission from us and agree to our Standard Requirements which will ensure our main priorities of building and customer safety are met.
Enabling every Guinness household to be able to access Fibre Broadband will take us time so please be patient while we work through the best approach and form the relevant agreements.
What does this mean for you?
Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you have to access Fibre Broadband or change supplier if you don’t want or need to. We’re working with suppliers so they can install the main cables and equipment to enable you to connect to Fibre Broadband, if you want to.
If you do want to connect to Fibre Broadband, you will need to find out which providers are currently available in your area and register your interest with them. There are useful websites to help you compare providers such as Compare the Market and U-Switch. (Make sure you consider any cancellation fees that may apply with your current broadband provider if you are still in contract before looking for a new provider.) The provider will then contact us to discuss this further.
What is the difference between the internet I have now, and Fibre Broadband?
If you have internet in your home at present, this will be connected using copper cabling.
If you do not wish to upgrade your broadband at present, there may be a point where you may need to move over to Fibre Broadband as part of the Government’s ‘Project Gigabit’. As part of this, all existing copper cables will be upgraded to fibre-optic cables as they deliver faster speeds giving you a better experience and are more future proof than copper.
If this is the case in the future, your current provider will be in touch with you.
How much will Fibre Broadband cost me?
You will not be charged for the installation of the Fibre Optic cables but your internet provider may charge a different fee for access to Fibre Broadband internet. Get in touch with your internet provider to find out their costs or compare providers using comparison websites such as Compare the Market or U-Switch
Whilst we cannot determine how much internet service providers charge for their Fibre Broadband services, we are working with as many suppliers as we can to influence a Social Value Tariff.
Social Value Tariff
In August 2022, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) began a new social tariff scheme to assist struggling families with access to cheaper broadband. It allows internet service providers to verify – with customers’ permission – whether they receive a relevant benefit and, therefore, are eligible for extra financial support. These benefits include universal credit, pension credit, income support, income-based job seekers allowance, and income-related employment support service.
In line with this, the government has called on all broadband providers to offer and promote social tariffs – discounted broadband and mobile deals for people on Universal Credit and other benefits.
DWP anticipate that this service could save customers over a hundred pounds a year in some instances. The new system will also simplify the process by removing the need for customers to prove their entitlement to broadband providers as regularly as every month.
Where can I find further information on Fibre Broadband in my area?
You can find out which providers are currently available in your area through websites that help you compare providers such as Compare the Market and U-Switch.
If you decide to go ahead you will need to register your interest with the supplier – they will then need to get in touch with our Fibre Broadband team here at Guinness and we will work with them to deliver Fibre Broadband to your home and the surrounding homes in your area.
If you’ve already submitted an application to your internet provider and want to know when Fibre broadband will be installed, please check directly with them.