At Anchor, we’ve always believed that good housing is about creating places where people can live well and as independently as possible. Today, that means being connected, whether our residents to what matters to them, or our employees to our systems and buildings.
We launched our Connected Properties programme to enable colleagues to work more efficiently and support the ongoing modernisation and transformation of how we deliver services. It also benefits most tenants in their individual properties; supporting residents to use the internet to access public services and banking, keeping in touch with family members and friends and for entertainment and online shopping, if residents choose to sign up.
It’s Anchor’s plan to bring high-speed internet for corporate and residential wi-fi services to residents across our housing portfolio. Anchor is covering most of the cost of connecting properties and we’re working closely with Wifinity, as our managed wi-fi partner, to install this at each location.
It’s one of the biggest technical investments in Anchor’s history and means most of our residents will be able to access wi-fi in communal areas and their own homes. We started the journey to upgrade broadband across 1,700 plus Anchor properties in 2020. At the heart of it we’re replacing outdated systems and setting the stage for our digital transformation.
Reliable wi-fi across all our sites opens the door to a vision of safer, smarter buildings. That could include internet-connected boilers, managing a remote office and making sure that location equipment, such as emergency and fire alarms, continues to function following the analogue switchover to digital. Some sites didn’t have any wi-fi at all when we began, so the difference this programme is making is huge.
It’s also changing the way we work. Teams can now use handheld devices to update records while they’re with residents. Those who have worked in a care environment will understand the huge improvement this is to scribbled notes and the time saved from no longer having to go back and forth to a desktop computer. It’s quicker, more exact and improves the experience for everyone.
In care settings, we’ve introduced digital care planning and electronic medication management. These rely on strong, building-wide wi-fi to ensure colleagues can access and update care info in real time. That’s better for safety and for residents’ daily experiences.
Looking ahead, the Wifinity network has the potential to support sensors for things like humidity and mould, helping us stay on top of property conditions without needing costly SIM-based devices. It’s a smarter and more scalable approach.
Future-proofing Anchor’s portfolio
In 2027, the UK telecoms industry plans its PSTN switch-off, when it will move from analogue to digital telephone networks. Many of our warden call systems still rely on traditional copper phone lines, so our wi-fi project is essential to migrate these lines to our new digital network to be sure residents get help when they need it.
Working with the Wifinity delivery team, we’re about a third of the way through. With over 1,600 locations, it’s a big job, which will take about four years and well worth it.
We’re now installing Wifinity’s solution as standard in all new builds. Our newer sites already have upgraded wi-fi, so we’re focused on retrofitting older ones. Once finished, residents in our care homes and housing will have access to their own high-quality connection.
Supporting wellbeing and inclusion
I’m keen to stress that our story isn’t about technology. It’s much more about what the wi-fi service has made happen and enables for the future.
Many of our residents are confident internet users, but a number need help. We know that being connected supports wellbeing, independence and social connection, and we’ve already had a fantastic response from residents who have had the installation take place at their location where they’re now connected to things that were out of reach before.
For example, a lady with sight loss is now using assistive technology in her own flat. At another of our schemes, residents are using their smart TVs to enjoy film nights. There are so many other examples, too, and they make a world of a difference.
Tackling digital exclusion is important and something we want to help residents with. It makes it easier to stay connected with family and friends and to access healthcare and other public services and to manage finances.
As part of the project, Wifinity’s community engagement team works with Anchor’s own team to visit and support residents to get online and build their confidence. We also run a device lending scheme so people without their own equipment can still get online. Once a site has wi-fi, we’re halfway there.
Raising the standard
To our knowledge, Anchor is the only organisation currently offering full-property wi-fi as a standard utility in the vast majority of its housing. Others might offer it in communal areas, but not in every home.
We believe no one should have to compromise on internet access because of where they live.
We’re keen to share what we’ve learned. With the pressures our sector faces, digital inclusion isn’t always easy. We’re proud to be leading the way and working with our suppliers to raise the bar.
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