Hyperoptic is proud to be different. Nine years ago, it was the first broadband provider to launch a consumer ‘full fibre’ broadband service. It was a complete step change from what was available on the market at the time. Its full fibre service enabled eye-watering speeds of 1,000Mbps. At the time, the average broadband speed hadn’t even hit double figures.

 

As well as offering a fundamentally new technology, Hyperoptic also had a different strategy to the mainstream providers. From day one, the company wanted to focus on delivering services to all walks of society, via working with the public sector – alongside new build developers and property/ asset managers. This is because it recognised the role that fast, reliable Internet access could play in transforming lives and delivering new social value.

 

Fast forward to today. Hyperoptic is proud to be the partner of choice for a huge number of registered providers of social housing, including A2Dominon, The Hyde Group, Catalyst Housing, Southern Housing Group and Notting Hill Genesis. It is also working with 50 councils across the UK, to supply connectivity to their social housing stock. Over 160,000 social housing properties have access, or are imminently due to be connected, to Hyperoptic’s full fibre network, across the length and breadth of the UK.

 

However, in true Hyperoptic spirit, the company didn’t want to stand still. From its experience working with many social housing providers, it understood that the challenge they faced wasn’t ‘should we move to full fibre?’ Moreover, the biggest issue was always ‘where should we start?

With that in mind, it wanted to offer a solution that could answer this very question. After significant research, it partnered with the Housing Association Charitable Trust (HACT) and social value specialist, Simetrica-Jacobs, to develop a solution - the Hyperoptic Digital Connectivity Social Value Calculator.

 

This new tool enables local authorities to effectively prioritise hyperfast broadband investment. It provides robust and credible social value information and metrics by using the latest available research and data – such as independent data from organisations such as the Official of National Statistics (ONS) and Ofcom. Similar tools are already used widely by all levels of Government across the UK as part of public procurement exercises and regulatory processes for other projects.

 

The Hyperoptic Digital Connectivity Social Value Calculator recognises that the impact of a hyperfast broadband connection can be split into two categories. Firstly, the economic impact on businesses, consumers, and their finances. Secondly, the social impact on communities and on society as a whole, including the benefits to an individuals’ wellbeing. Both are now accessible within the tool. 

 

Hyperoptic’s ambition is that the Social Value Calculator will serve as a powerful tool for those making decisions within local government and housing associations. By having a data-based framework that social housing providers to systematically and objectively evaluate where our collaboration can bring the most value first, will mean that those communities can be prioritised.

The role of social housing providers in the rollout of full fibre cannot be understated. You can read more about the calculator in a full whitepaper that we have developed on social value in the public sector. For more information, please see: https://www.hyperoptic.com/social-value/