VIVID, a leading provider of affordable homes and support services in the south of England, has selected Complete Technology Group (CTG) to manage the strategic roll-out of full-fibre infrastructure across its high rise blocks of flats (also known as Multi-Dwelling Units, or MDUs).
Digital infrastructure specialist CTG oversees the digital connectivity strategy, design, installation, and independent audit of fibre networks in MDUs on behalf of landlords and housing associations. Founded in 2020, CTG works with dozens of landlords and housing groups, which have a collective portfolio of over 500,000 homes.
CTG will work with its sister company, Complete Fibre, and VIVID to optimise full-fibre network solutions for each MDU in the housing provider’s portfolio.
VIVID has 34,000 homes in Hampshire and the surrounding area, with approximately 16,000 of those being MDUs.
CTG will manage all communications with internet service providers (ISPs), provide advisory and planning services to VIVID regarding the digital infrastructure of its buildings, and then audit all work undertaken to ensure the highest compliance and safety standards are met.
As part of its approach to managing its housing portfolio, VIVID will install Complete Fibre, a single, open-access ‘plug-and-play’ digital infrastructure within suitable MDUs, which multiple ISPs can connect into. It means residents can still choose between broadband providers, but they face minimal disruption to their lives, or the integrity of the buildings, thanks to only a single installation taking place.
Chris McLain, CEO at Complete Technology Group (pictured), said: “We understand how challenging it is for housing providers like VIVID to respond to the high volume of requests they receive from ISPs looking to enter their buildings, and then oversee fibre installations from a compliance and safety perspective. We’ll do the heavy-lifting with all stakeholders, ensuring hyper-fast, hyper-reliable broadband is delivered to all residents, without compromising on safety or standards.”
Matt Bellamy, Head of Asset Strategy and Delivery at VIVID, added: “The safety and quality of our homes is always our utmost priority. Working with CTG means we can deliver full-fibre infrastructure to all our customers living in high-rise flats, quickly, with little disruption but ensuring greater choice. Making our homes digital ready for fibre deployment, we can ensure that our customers have access to modern digital services when they are available. This will not only contribute to digital inclusion but allow this to take place at a faster rate than would have otherwise been possible.”