Hunton residents face broadband uncertainty after fiber optic works halt

Residents in the rural village of Hunton, Kent, have expressed concern regarding their future broadband access following the abrupt halt of fiber optic installation works. The project, which began in August to replace existing copper infrastructure, reportedly stopped after only a few days.

Local residents reported being told they might need to find alternative internet providers without receiving a clear plan for the transition. The company Trooli stated that expanding its fiber network was not possible and that it had contacted affected customers. Meanwhile, Openreach has indicated that the old copper network is scheduled to be decommissioned by January 31, 2027, requiring customers to switch to digital telephony services by that date.

Local officials and residents have raised concerns about the impact on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly who rely on landlines for medical communication, and local institutions like nurseries that require stable internet for essential operations.