Birmingham Residents Outraged as BRSK Fined £100,000 for Broadband Pole Blunders

BIRMINGHAM, UK – Telecommunications giant BRSK has been slapped with a hefty £100,000 fine by industry regulator Ofcom for repeated failures to properly plan and install broadband poles across Birmingham. The penalty comes after a flood of complaints from angry residents.

"Poles Popping Up Like Weeds"

"It’s been a nightmare," said Sarah Thompson, 42, who lives on Alcester Road. "These poles started popping up like weeds in front of our homes with no warning. They’re an eyesore and some are dangerously close to driveways."

According to Ofcom’s investigation, BRSK failed to adequately notify residents, skipped required site surveys, and ignored safety standards when erecting the poles as part of its fiber rollout in the city.

200+ Violations in 6 Months

Records show that between January and June 2023, BRSK committed over 200 planning breaches related to the "cowboy" installation of broadband poles. In one egregious case, a pole was installed just 18 inches from a homeowner’s front door.

"I couldn’t believe it when I saw that pole practically in my living room," said retired teacher John Evans, 68. "It’s not just unsightly, it’s downright hazardous. What if there’s a fire?"

Residents Demand Action

Fed up residents have bombarded local councillors with complaints, demanding the rogue poles be removed immediately. "We pay our taxes and expect basic respect from these companies using our streets," said Thompson. "BRSK needs to clean up its act pronto."

In a statement, BRSK apologized for the violations and pledged to "review and improve" its processes. But for many, it’s too little, too late. "That £100,000 fine is a drop in the bucket for them," said Evans. "We won’t rest until every last one of those poles is gone."

Ofcom Vows Stricter Oversight

For its part, Ofcom has vowed to crack down harder on telecoms firms that flout planning regulations. "This fine should serve as a wake-up call," said an Ofcom spokesperson. "We’ll be watching BRSK and others very closely going forward. Residents deserve better."

With BRSK poles still littering Birmingham streets, the controversy shows no signs of abating. As the fiber rollout continues across the UK, all eyes will be on Ofcom to ensure providers prioritize people over poles.