Industry News
1st October 2024
Ever walked down your street and noticed brand new telegraph poles sprouting up like unwanted weeds? You’re not alone. But telegraph poles are no longer just an eyesore—they’re a growing source of frustration.
This has become such a hot issue that Sir Chris Bryant, the UK Government’s Minister for Telecoms, recently gathered a small group of network operators in an attempt to try and drive home a critical point: stop deploying unnecessary telegraph poles.
Why Telegraph Poles Have Become Such a Bitter Topic
Recently, Openreach found themselves in hot water in Southport, where residents were up in arms over the sudden appearance of new telegraph poles in their streets. Many homeowners were frustrated by the lack of consultation, claiming the poles were installed without warning and ruined the aesthetic of their neighbourhoods.
In some places, like Hull, residents have taken matters into their own hands, cutting down telegraph poles installed by MS3. These poles disrupt the local environment and pose potential safety risks, making them increasingly unwelcome in today’s communities.
Only yesterday Ofcom announced their investigation into BRSK, a broadband network provider, over their installation of telegraph poles in Birmingham without giving the required notice to local planning authorities. While this might seem like a minor technical issue, it speaks to a bigger debate—one that affects communities, local governments, and the future of broadband infrastructure.
The Grain Difference
At Grain, we believe poles are completely unnecessary – that’s why you’ll never see one in our network. We’re committed to keeping our fibre network out of sight, and underground, where it belongs. Why? Simple—our customers deserve fast broadband without the clutter. And local communities benefit from safer streets and unspoiled views.
While some providers are still opting for quick-fix solutions like poles, we’re building a future-proof network. It’s more than aesthetics; it’s about reliability, longevity, and respecting the places where our customers live.
What it means for you
For businesses and residents alike, broadband isn’t just about speed—it’s about how that network gets delivered. Poles might seem like a quick solution, but they come with their own set of challenges, from legal issues to potential safety hazards and the costs of connecting customers to telegraph poles are extremely high, more than offsetting any benefits. We choose to avoid all of that by going underground. It’s worth it for a network that’s stable, discreet, and designed for the future.
If you’re looking to upgrade your broadband, ask the tough questions about infrastructure. Are they using poles, or is everything routed underground? Make sure the provider you choose is doing things the right way – It’ll save you headaches down the line.
What’s next?
We urge other providers to follow our lead and ditch the poles. The communities have spoken, and the message is clear: no one wants them. Let’s build networks the right way, from the ground up.
At Grain, we’re proud to be leading the charge for cleaner, safer, and more reliable broadband. No poles. No shortcuts. Just solid, dependable fibre.
Source: Ofcom