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How the City of London Corporation is investing in the Square Mile's digital future

November 26, 2025

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Highlights

We explore how the City of London’s Future Network Programme enhances public service reliability, supports sustainability goals and builds the digital foundation of a smarter, more connected capital.

Public services across central London are evolving, and the City of London Corporation is leading the way.

Whether you work, live or study in the Square Mile, you’ll soon feel the difference that faster, more dependable connectivity brings.

What is the Future Network Programme?

The City of London Corporation is rolling out the Future Network Programme, a major project to modernise its entire digital infrastructure and bring everything under one unified network.

From offices and schools to iconic green spaces like Hampstead Heath, cultural destinations like the Barbican, and historic markets such as Leadenhall and Old Spitalfields, this upgrade will mean more reliable connectivity across the City’s buildings and public spaces.

It also extends to essential services, including critical sites run by the City of London Police. This enhanced connectivity will support everything from secure communication systems to faster, more resilient networks for emergency operations.

Leading this transformation is Roc Technologies, supported by Juniper Networks and Palo Alto Networks; all powered by the Vorboss fibre network. Together, we’re bringing the City onto a modern digital foundation that’s ready to support its future.

Who the Future Network Programme benefits and how?

The programme is designed for everyone who depends on public services in the Square Mile:

Students in City-run schools will have fast, reliable connectivity to fully access digital learning tools.

Public-sector teams will experience smoother hybrid working, better access to online platforms, and more efficient collaboration across locations.

Residents and visitors will see improvements in public Wi-Fi, digital services, and online access in libraries, community hubs, and other shared spaces.

The City of London Police will gain a more secure, faster and resilient network that enhances CCTV reliability and enables more effective frontline operations.

One unified network

By bringing everything together under one single network, the City of London Corporation is replacing a patchwork of systems and providers, with a single, accountable partner. That means better performance, fewer interruptions, and a service that’s monitored and maintained to the highest standard.

Supporting digital inclusion

This isn’t just about faster connectivity; it’s about making sure that everyone can get online. As more education and public services move into the digital space, it’s essential that reliable internet is available to all.

Driving sustainability objectives

The Future Network Programme reflects the City of London Corporation’s wider commitments to sustainability, inclusion, and ethical sourcing. It’s being delivered in a way that supports social value, from reducing environmental impact to promoting diverse suppliers and fair employment practices. By combining world-class technology with a responsible delivery approach, the City is building a network that benefits everyone, creating impact that goes far beyond connectivity alone.

A future-ready capital

By working with forward-thinking technology partners, the City of London Corporation is focusing on the needs of the people who rely on its services. It proves that reliable, adaptable connectivity can be delivered without the limitations of traditional providers. We hope other boroughs take inspiration from this approach so more Londoners can enjoy the benefits of better, smarter network.

Ultimately, it’s about giving our capital the digital foundation it needs to keep evolving and stay one step ahead.

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For many landlords and building managers, the word “wayleave” feels like the responsible route whenever a fibre circuit is being installed on their property. It sounds formal and safe – a neat legal box to tick.

In many cases, however, a wayleave adds unnecessary complexity and delays, frustrates tenants, and can expose landlords to long-term legal risks.

At Vorboss, we’ve connected thousands of office spaces across London without a wayleave, keeping landlords in full control and getting tenants online faster.

What is a wayleave?

A wayleave is a written agreement between a landowner and a telecoms operator. It gives the operator permission to install and keep equipment on private property.

What many people don’t realise is that signing a wayleave also activates “Code rights” under the Electronic Communications Code. These rights go beyond simple permission, they give the operator legal powers to stay on the property indefinitely, access it when needed, and even refuse removal of their equipment in certain situations.

For a typical connection into a commercial building in London, a wayleave can make the fibre installation process slower, more expensive, and limit the landlord’s flexibility long term.

Why a wayleave isn’t required for standard in-building fibre connections

For a standard in-building fibre connection serving a tenant, a wayleave isn’t a legal requirement. Important protections, like building access, fire safety, repairing any damage, and removing equipment, are already covered by the tenant’s lease and usual building rules.

If no wayleave is signed, no Code rights are triggered, meaning the landlord retains full control and the installation exists under a simple, fully revocable licence.

In practice, this gives landlords far more protection and flexibility:

No legal lock-in – the telecoms operator has no long-term rights to stay or refuse removal.

Landlords keep full control – equipment can be moved or removed when the building changes.

Faster fibre installation – no time lost in drafting contracts or solicitor reviews.

Happier tenants – connections go live quicker; tenants get to move in faster.

By contrast, signing a wayleave and granting Code rights introduces a complex and expensive legal process for any fibre removal or relocation. This can take at least 18 months, plus potential court or tribunal proceedings, making it slower, and far less flexible for the landlord.