Harrow’s digital infrastructure

What is Harrow's Digital Infrastructure?

  • We agreed a Digital Infrastructure Strategy in December 2021. The main goal is to support installing full-fibre broadband and 4G and 5G mobile networks in Harrow. This will ensure good connectivity for residents and businesses in Harrow.

Harrow’s Digital Infrastructure Strategy

We agreed a Digital Infrastructure Strategy in December 2021. The strategy’s main goal is to support the installation  of full-fibre broadband and 4G and 5G mobile infrastructure in the borough to ensure residents and businesses have good connectivity in Harrow.

The development of digital infrastructure is also at the heart of our Economic Strategy. This supports the growth of the local economy. It helps key sectors within it, such as the knowledge economy.

Questions about broadband

What types of broadband connections are there?

There are two main types of fibre connections available:

  1. Superfast Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC). This uses a mixture of fibre-optic cables and copper wires.

  2. Ultrafast full fibre (FTTP). This involves fibre optic cables running in to homes.

 

Most UK connections are FTTC. Openreach will upgrade them to FTTP soon. Currently, 58% of Harrow residents have access to Full Fibre. (Source: Ofcom Connection Nations Spring 2024. The London Average is 62.1%.

 

Some cable networks use fibre optic and coaxial cables. They deliver superfast broadband, TV, and phone services directly to homes.

What can I do to improve my poor broadband connection?

The quality of your broadband depends on the type of fibre connection you have. The best connection is FTTP but FTTC can meet most household needs.

 

If your connection is poor, firstly you'll need to ask your telecoms' provider if there are issues in your area.

 

If the capacity of your broadband is low, you can ask what type of connection you currently have. Is it FTTC or FTTP/full fibre?

What plans are there to provide FTTP in my area?

Openreach has already rolled out their “Fibre First” (FTTP) programme in Kenton and  Hatch End. In December 2023, they announced a plan to install Full Fibre (FTTP) in much of the rest of Harrow by April 2025. More information can be found on the Openreach website.

 

Most broadband providers use Openreach's network to connect to homes.

 

Other providers have their own infrastructure. Such as Community Fibre and Hyperoptic. It is worth checking their websites to see if their service is available in your area.

 

If Openreach will not upgrade your area, you have some options:

 

  1. Openreach Community Fibre Partnership. If you're not part of their current fibre plans, explore what Openreach describe as a 'co-funded fibre option.'
  2. Registering your interest online. You can register you interest on broadband providers' websites. This helps them get a picture of potential demand in your area. It can also help influence their investment plans.
  3. Contacting the Council. There are some circumstances where the Council may be able to help. For more information, email edo.edo@harrow.gov.uk.

I'm struggling to afford my phone and broadband bills. What can I do?

Social tariffs provide a safety net for customers. They may help if you are struggling to pay for your broadband or phone service.

 

You can find out more about social tariffs on the Ofcom website.

Questions about mobile phone masts

How safe are mobile phone masts, 4G and 5G transmitters?

We follow the advice and rules set by the national Government. The rules come via Public Health England (PHE). They cover health and safety issues related to mobile phone signals and transmission. Since April 2021, PHE is known as the UK Health Security Agency and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.

 

PHE endorses the international guidelines. They are for limiting exposure to radio waves.

 

The guidelines cover many uses of radio frequencies. These include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile tech. The guidelines now take full account of 5G operating at higher frequencies.

 

Mobile companies must ensure that their signals do not exceed the limits in the ICNIRP guidelines. The guidelines aim to protect the public. Planning requires a statement with planning applications. It must say that, when operational, equipment will follow the ICNIRP guidelines. These guidelines limit exposure to electromagnetic fields.

 

For more information, see Public Health Guidance and a guide on 5G mobile technology.

Why are telecoms masts necessary?

Masts are needed for wireless services including calls, texts, and internet. They act as a hub for sending and receiving signals between mobile devices and networks.

This is needed for 4G and 5G telecommunication systems.

Questions about Harrow mobile phone coverage

Mobile phone coverage is good across Harrow. Busy areas like our town centre have some capacity issues. There is also a growing issue with capacity as more people work from home.

Who owns and operates telecoms mast?

Some mobile network operators own telecoms masts. Such as Vodafone and Three. They can also be owned by independent tower companies.

 

The companies lease space on the mast to the mobile network operators.

How tall are telecoms masts?

As of April 2022, new ground-based mobile masts can be up to 30 metres in non-protected areas. In protected areas (like conservation areas and national parks) they can be up to 25 metres. These are allowed under 'Permitted Development.'

 

This means that applications for masts up to 30m high can only be refused for 'siting and appearance'. They can't be refused for the need for new infrastructure or other factors beyond the application.

 

The Local Planning Authority may consider factors. These include:

  • a mast’s height relative to the land and buildings
  • the materials, design, and colours used.

 

When is a planning application required for a new telecoms mast?

Masts fall into three categories. This is under planning regulations and include:

 

  • Permitted development. Planning permission is granted through national legislation.
  • Prior approval. Where masts are under 30 metres in height, planners can only look at the 'siting' and appearance. This is when they are considering to grant or refuse planning permission.
  • Full planning permission. Masts will need full planning permission if they are over:
    • 30 metres in height from ground level or
    • 15 metres in height on a building.

 

You only need planning permission from the council if:

  • the proposals come under prior approval or
  • the proposals are in the full planning permission categories.

 

For more information, see:

Can residents comment on a planning application for a new mast?

The local planning authority (LPA) has to consult the public. The (LPA has  to do this for both full planning applications and prior approval applications. Application details are published on our planning page.

We may also display site notices and we may send notification letters to local residents.

Can applicants appeal a council planning decision?

Yes. If we refuse planning permission or a prior approval application, the applicant can appeal it. They can do this through the national Planning Inspectorate. The decision of the Planning Inspectorate is binding.

Landline telephone digital switchover

The UK's telephone network is changing. By January 2027, your phone and internet will use upgraded digital landlines. Your telephone provider will do this.

This means that services such as home phones and healthcare devices will be switched over.

The good news is – your landline isn’t going anywhere and for most, this change will be straight forward. The change may be as simple as plugging your phone into your broadband router rather than the socket on the wall. In fact, many residents are already making the switch when they upgrade to full fibre broadband.

Openreach have confirmed that the Kenton Telephone Exchange will close in November 2025. This serves residents in Harrow and Brent. The closing date was originally September 2024.

You can check if you are served by the Kenton Road Exchange. Your telecoms provider should contact you before the switchover. They should tell you and ensure you have the right equipment. See the FAQs below. More information can be found on Ofcom's website.

Why is it happening?

The UK is upgrading its telephone network from the old analogue system to a new digital system. This means that by 2027, landline calls will be made using the internet instead of traditional phone lines. This is happening because the old system is becoming outdated and expensive to maintain.

In the future, landline calls will use digital technology. It's called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). It uses a broadband connection.

Will it affect me?

The good news is that for most people, this change will be straightforward. But if you, or a relative, use any of the following types of service that rely on a telephone landline then this will affect you:

  • Landline telephone for making calls
  • Telecare service for fall monitor, lifeline or personal alarm
  • Fire alarm
  • Burglar alarm

What do I need to do?

In most cases you don't need to do anything until your provider tells you that your telephone service is changing.

If you rely on a landline phone, or a service that uses it, like a telecare device or alarm, check with the service provider. Ask about their plans for the service and when the changes will happen. They will also be able to tell you whether the device will need to be upgraded or replaced.

Questions you can ask your provider:

Before you switch to a digital landline

  • What do I need to do for my new landline to work as soon as possible?
  • Will my new landline work in a power cut?
  • What can you provide if I only have my landline to call emergency services during a power cut?
  • How do I check whether other devices (like care alarms) that use my telephone line will be compatible?
  • Will my current handset work on the new system, or do you need to send me a new handset or some other equipment?

Before you change your broadband to full-fibre broadband

  • Will I need an engineer visit? If so, what should I do to prepare for their visit?
  • Will my landline voice service be affected by the change to my broadband service?
  • Do I need any new equipment, such as a router? Will this be provided?

When the switchover happens, you may just need to plug your phone into your broadband router instead of the wall socket. This is assuming you have the internet.

Be Careful!

Unfortunately, some people try to exploit the vulnerable. They demand payment for unnecessary things and threaten to cut their service if they don't pay. 

If you get any messages asking for money, be wary. If you're unsure they are from your phone company, contact them using the number on your bill. This is your trusted source. You can use any other trusted method to contact your phone company.

Power cut?

Unlike traditional phones, a phone connected to a broadband router will not work in a power cut. The router gets its power from the mains.

If you use your landline but don't have a mobile, your provider should make sure you can call emergency services during a power cut. This applies if you can't use a mobile phone or have no mobile signal in your home. This could be a battery back-up. It would keep your landline working. Or, we could give you a basic mobile phone to use. This solution should be provided free of charge to people who are dependent on their landline.

What is the London Borough of Harrow doing?

We are looking at the impact of the switch off on council housing residents and services. This includes the impact on fire alarms, door entry systems. It also includes vulnerable residents, such as users of Careline.

Our Careline service have contacted their users. We have replaced any old technology with a new digital device. This will ensure that the service continues when the old technology fails.

More information on the digital switchover

The links below provide more information on the digital switchover and how it could affect you. Please note that this it is not an exhaustive list of resources, you can find other resources online: