Fast broadband now matters more than good local schools

School catchment areas have been a key factor in house prices for as long as many of us can remember.

Parents are often willing to pay a six-figure premium to live within the catchment area of an outstanding state school, from Jordanhill in Glasgow to Norwich’s Golden Triangle.

By contrast, the provision of utilities has rarely influenced property prices, even if a particular dwelling was off grid in terms of gas, or had a septic tank instead of a mains sewage connection.

Today, there is one piped utility which can materially affect both house prices and postcode desirability. And perhaps unsurprisingly given our reliance on it, it’s internet connectivity.

Go faster stripes

According to a recently published survey, 45 per cent of home movers ranked fast broadband as a top priority when looking for their next home.

By comparison, just 26 per cent said the same regarding local schools.

It’s important to note this survey was commissioned by Hyperoptic – a full fibre ISP you’ll find right here on our website.

It’s hardly surprising an ISP published the findings of a survey which claims fast internet access is important.

Nonetheless, the appeal of fast broadband does appear to eclipse the appeal of a good state school, even after the Government’s double-fisted assault on private education.

For one thing, 95 per cent of UK households have internet access, whereas only around 25 per cent host school-age children.

Even then, school catchment areas are rarely a concern if your child is adopted or has additional needs, or if you live in Scotland (where school boundaries can be surprisingly elastic).

There are almost as many households with someone working from home as there are households with children, and an ADSL connection simply won’t cut it in many professions.

Similarly, while parents want their children to receive a good education, children themselves are generally more exercised about internet access when they get home.

And the more children you have, the more a fast broadband connection is essential to preserve harmony as everyone tries to do different things simultaneously.

The simple truth is that a dependable internet connection is almost essential nowadays, whether you work at home, use social media accounts, shop or play games online.

Increasing numbers of household devices also rely on connectivity, from webcam-equipped bird tables or alarm systems to bathroom scales and toothbrushes.

Get your priorities right

The Hyperoptic survey found activating WiFi in a new home was viewed as one of the most important first steps to take, beaten only by setting up the heating and hot water systems.

It concluded that rather than leaving broadband activation until the first week of occupation, residents were routinely organising it weeks or months in advance of moving day.

Broadband speeds are a key property marketing metric nowadays. Rightmove publishes it above listed building status or even the presence of mains sewerage in online property listings.

Housebuilders bundle full fibre broadband leaflets into their sales brochures, to tempt homeowners in older properties with sluggish Fibre to the Cabinet or ADSL connections.

If people aren’t able to get day-one fibre broadband installed into their next home, they will often invest in a MiFi hub or mobile dongle to remain connected at all times.

However, the one-touch switching process means ISPs should coordinate a switching process which coincides with a house move, while retained providers should seamlessly port connectivity.