HS2 to Boost Rural Internet Access
- HS2 Ltd announced that mobile network and broadband providers can access spare capacity in its fibreoptic cables and telecom masts.
- This initiative aims to enhance internet and mobile service availability in rural areas.
- The effort underscores the importance of infrastructure in closing the digital divide.
Government-owned HS2 Ltd has announced a new initiative allowing mobile network and broadband providers to access spare capacity in its fibreoptic cabling and telecoms masts. This move aims to significantly lower the costs associated with extending fibre connections to rural areas in Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, and Staffordshire, where connectivity has been lacking. An analysis commissioned by HS2 Ltd, based on data from regulator Ofcom, revealed that 538 postcodes within five kilometers of the London-Birmingham route lack access to ultrafast broadband speeds exceeding 100 megabits per second. Alarmingly, 209 of these postcodes do not even receive speeds of 10 Mbit/s, and 15 postcodes are without reliable 5G mobile signal. Rail minister Lord Hendy emphasized the potential of this investment to stimulate economic growth and create new opportunities for local communities. In addition to the HS2 project, a similar initiative is underway to introduce 5G connectivity along the East West Rail route between Oxford and Milton Keynes. HS2 Ltd is committed to collaborating with mobile and broadband providers to enhance connectivity for isolated communities along the railway, with plans to construct around 80 telecoms masts and lay approximately 2,000 kilometers of fibreoptic cabling. Tim Ward, HS2 Ltd's head of telecoms engineering, expressed determination to maximize the value of the new infrastructure while supporting local communities. He highlighted that advancements in technology will enable data to be directly fed to trains, significantly improving mobile connectivity for passengers.