Established property agent Island Lettings has joined forces with telecoms legal specialist Trenches Law, to support the faster roll-out of ultrafast full-fibre connectivity on the Isle of Wight.
The collaboration came about when the 2 organisations began discussing the Island’s broadband challenges and opportunities, at a Chamber of Commerce members’ meeting.
Trenches Law works alongside Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to help overcome the obstacles that commonly stall the roll-out of ultrafast fibre infrastructures – not least wayleave permissions when access to private land is required. Acknowledging that many residents would benefit significantly from faster connectivity, Island Lettings, therefore, stepped in to help streamline the communication with landlords.
Now, working in close partnership, Island Lettings introduces Trenches Law to property owners in an attempt to facilitate what needs to happen next.
Commenting on the relationship, Island Letting’s managing director Mark Burton, who has spearheaded the collaboration, said:
“I think we’re all aware of the advantages of faster internet connectivity – there was a time when it was a luxury, but now it’s a default requirement from the majority of tenants. However, network operators still encounter challenges – in both urban and rural areas – when it comes to installing new telecoms services on private land.
“We’ve therefore joined forces with Trenches Law to smoothen the process for the benefit of all stakeholders. This should translate into a better level of service for both our tenants and landlords – not to mention the ongoing future-proofing of the Isle of Wight’s connectivity.”
Carole Lee, wayleave liaison manager at Trenches Law, said:
“This relationship really highlights the power of teamwork in the property and communications space, Island Lettings is enhancing the quality – not to mention value – of the properties in its portfolio, tenants benefit from ultrafast broadband which is in particularly high demand right now, and the network operators we represent can press on with their ambitious build programmes as planned.
“I look forward to seeing the difference that this partnership will continue to make.”
Island Lettings has in excess of 600 properties in its portfolio. A £90m project – led by WightFibre – is already well underway, with a target in place to provide 60,000 of the Island’s premises with access to a gigabit-capable full-fibre network, by the end of 2022.
Beware – that wayleave they want you to sign is one sided in their favour, and you are signing away rights on your own land. Don’t do it. And also be aware that Trenches start bullying you if you refuse. but don’t give in.
I am very unimpressed both with Wightfibre and Trenches Law.
Wightfibre gave notice of works in my road to install their network on 1st July 2019.
Their contractors eventually turned up in the first week of 2021 having given 2 days notice of their arrival. No offer of alternative parking arrangements were offered by Wightfibre.
The contractors were not aware of the fact that the grass areas in between the houses were indivudually owned. The map that they showed me was about fifty years out of date.
Trenches law applied to me for a wayleave to install electronic equipment on my property calling my property “Private road”.
No thanks. Wf.
When are they going to stop digging the bloody roads up? Seems like its been going on for ever. My internet speed is more than enough
Island Lettings ha hope they make a better business job of this than they do if they manage your property for letting purposes… in this case it’s all about the money they make as they don’t give two hoots for landlords and the damage some tenants cause to properties. I speak from experience I wouldn’t touch island Lettings with a barge pole
All this disruption whilst the Island roads are dug up could have been avoided if the existing underground ducts owned by Openreach had been used. As it is Wightfibre will not be serving more remote areas as it is unprofitable to them. Openreach are obligated to eventually serve the whole of the UK.
I found that the best way to stop trenches sending any more letters is to tell them it will cost £1000 for them to cross your land and I think that is fair compensation for the chaos they have caused on the roads and pavements in Sandown.
Anyway the future is mobile internet,this is just so they can get their grubby hands on government grants.