HS2 could boost rural broadband, developer claims

HS2 Ltd said fibre optic cables running alongside the railway could benefit thousands of homes

The company behind HS2 has said it will offer telecoms firms access to fibre optic cables running alongside the high speed track.

It said the initiative would help boost connectivity in rural areas for mobile phone companies and broadband firms.

The spare capacity being sold to telecoms providers could benefit thousands of homes in parts of Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire, the firm said.

HS2 Ltd said there were hundreds of areas which could be reached using its infrastructure.

The firm commissioned data from regulator Ofcom which it said had identified more than 538 postcode areas within 5km (3.1 miles) of the route that did not currently have access to 100 megabit per second ultrafast broadband.

They said the analysis found 209 of those postcode areas did not have access to broadband of at least 10 megabits per second.

Rail minister Lord Hendy said investing in transport infrastructure could boost opportunities and drive economic growth.

“This scheme will have a positive impact on local areas for generations to come, providing connectivity that will create new opportunities for people and businesses to thrive,” he said.

Construction of HS2 is now well underway, the firm said, adding that it would award key railway systems contracts later this year.

The firm estimates about 80 telecoms masts will be built alongside the railway to provide signalling for its train services.

These masts could also be used to boost local mobile coverage - with 15 postcodes along the route currently unable to receive a reliable 5G signal, according to HS2 Ltd.

The firm said the majority of the cost involved in cabling came from installation, meaning its scheme could dramatically reduce the financial burden of bringing fibre connections to less populated areas.

The railway is expected to open between 2029 and 2033, but telecoms companies could get access to masts and fibre optic cabling two years before this, during its testing and commissioning phase.