THE INSTALLATION of new fibre cables means that for the first time Reading homes have a choice of provider for superfast internet.
And as part of this, telecommunications company TalkTalk says it is able to offer full-fibre packages to homes across the town for the first time.
The new Future Fibre packages use some of the latest technology that ditches traditional copper phone lines for high-tech fibre optics.
This, the company says, means that internet download speeds can hit 900Mb/s – up to 24 times faster and five times more reliable than standard fibre internet.
It adds during there pandemic, there has been a 40% increase on its network as people work from home and also install more smart devices in their homes, such as smart speakers and heating controls.
To help homes when they make the switch to TalkTalk’s Future Fibre package it includes two Amazon eero Pro 6 mesh Wi-Fi devices, and Total Home Wi-Fi, to ensure coverage across the home.
It has the bandwidth to handle up to 75 devices and is worth £599.
And the company says that its services could save homes up to £431 over the 18-month contract compared to other providers for similar superfast speeds.
Jonathan Kini, managing director of TalkTalk Direct Business and Consumer, is pleased to be able to offer the superfast service to Reading.
“We believe fast, affordable, full-fibre broadband should be accessible to all,” he said. “This has been brought into even sharper focus by the pandemic. We’re thrilled that people across Berkshire can now benefit from the UK’s latest technology thanks to our new Future Fibre and Amazon eero packages.”
The full fibre expansion across Reading is being undertaken in conjunction with CityFibre and Openreach to deliver the latest broadband technology to customers.
Stacey King, City Manager at CityFibre said: “It is a pleasure to have TalkTalk join our Full Fibre network in Reading.
“TalkTalk’s switch-on here signals an enhanced broadband choice for the region at a time when state-of-the-art digital connectivity is increasingly important for work and play.
“We are investing heavily in the town’s digital infrastructure – part of CityFibre’s £4 billion Gigabit City Investment Programme – and it is already providing residents and businesses with gigabit-capable connectivity.
“As we begin to connect even more homes in the area, we look forward to the region being able to access the reliable and fast speeds they require today and in the future.”
And Connie Dixon, Openreach’s Regional Partnership Director for the South East said: “In an increasingly tech-driven world, it’s a huge boost that thousands of homes and businesses across Reading can already order a full fibre service on our network with thousands more set to follow. Fast, reliable and future-proof broadband is vital for day-to-day life – and that’s why we’re building full fibre to 25 million homes across the UK in the next five years.”
Not all homes in Reading are currently able to access the services, but as the full fibre cables are installed coverage will increase.
For more details, or to find out more, log on to: https://new.talktalk.co.uk/check-availability
