Community buildings in Manchester to get free broadband

17 community sites in the Greater Manchester area are set to get free fibre broadband connectivity until 2025 as part of the UK's largest public sector Local Full Fibre Networks programme.

A partnership between Virgin Media Business and Greater Manchester Combined Authority aims to provide fiberoptic broadband infrastructure to more than 1,500 public sector buildings including children's centres, schools and libraries.

The Local Full Fibre Networks programme was funded by investment from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport.

The programme is the result of collaboration between Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Virgin Media Business, Greater Manchester’s local authorities, Fire and Rescue Services, and Transport for Greater Manchester.

It is believed that as many as 1.2 million residents in the Greater Manchester Area suffer from digital exclusion.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority Lead for Education, Skills, Work, Apprenticeships, and Digital, said: “In Greater Manchester, we’re ensuring everyone, whatever their age, location, or situation, can benefit from the opportunities digital brings.

“I’m encouraged to see digital infrastructure being used to directly benefit our communities. This programme has set a standard and a legacy for industry, public sector, and communities working together on meaningful change towards fixing the digital divide, as we equip the region with the infrastructure it needs to become a world class digital city region.”

The operations manager of Deeplish Community Centre in Rochdale, which are set to benefit from the free broadband, Sohail Ahmad, said: “The free fibre broadband at Deeplish Community Centre is improving people’s prospects and breaking down digital exclusion barriers made worse during the pandemic. Without the improved connectivity at our site, many in our community would be locked out of today’s digital society.

“Instead, more than 500 local people can now get online for free at our centre, learning new skills: from online banking, to using digital tools to support the language barrier we have in our community – or even young people visiting the site to complete their homework. Thanks to the programme, we’re seeing improved wellbeing and new prospects for our people.”