Broadband providers need permission from the landowner or freeholder to access a block of flats and install fibre infrastructure. Speak with your freeholder to encourage them to grant access. You can also help by engaging with commercial broadband providers and acting as a digital champion, facilitating conversations between both parties.

There are several reasons why your Wi-Fi might not be working as it should. Have you tried any of the following?

• Move the position of your router: blockers such as chimneys, furniture and other electronic signals can all interfere.

• Install a new router: if you have remained loyal to your provider, you may now have outdated equipment. Contact your provider to see whether it's time for an upgrade.

• Reduce your connected devices: do you have several devices connected to your Wi-Fi and competing for bandwidth? How many of these devices needs to be connected at all times?

An ISP or Internet Service Provider is the company that you buy your broadband package from. They provide your broadband package, customer support, and billing.

A network operator is the company that builds and maintains the physical broadband infrastructure, such as fibre cables and network equipment. Many network operators sell access to their networks wholesale, allowing multiple ISPs to offer broadband services over the same infrastructure.

Hertfordshire Futures and Hertfordshire County Council cannot provide funding for community broadband or connectivity projects, as there is no county-wide scheme in place to support areas facing connectivity challenges. Should funding opportunities become available in the future, the detailed will published on the Broadband Connectivity page.

Digital Hertfordshire is developing an action and engagement plan to help improve mobile coverage across the county. This includes identifying areas with poor connectivity, working with Mobile Network Operators to understand coverage gaps, and encouraging investment in areas where improvements are needed most.

If you are experiencing poor mobile coverage, we encourage you to report it to your Mobile Network Operator. Evidence of local demand and coverage issues can help inform future investment decisions.

If you would like to act as a digital champion for your community and help raise awareness of local connectivity challenges, please contact us. We can discuss how Digital Hertfordshire may be able to support your efforts.

Mobile signals can be affected by buildings, trees, and other obstacles that reduce coverage and performance. Before submitting a planning application, operators assess the local area to determine the most suitable location for providing reliable service.

While existing masts are used where possible, they may not always be in the right location to meet coverage needs. Because 5G signals typically have a shorter range than 4G, equipment often needs to be located closer to the areas where people live, work, and spend time. As a result, a more central location may provide better coverage and network performance than a mast on the outskirts of a town.

To reduce digital clutter and energy consumpion, start by clearing out unwanted emails and files, unsubscribing from newsletters you no longer read, and removing unused apps.

Save energy by using power-saving settings, lowering screen brightness, and turning off devices when they're not needed. You can also keep email signatures small and limit the use of logos, images, and links to help reduce your overall energy footprint.

In most cases, yes. AI requires more processing power than a search engine because it creates responses rather than simply directing you to existing information. For quick questions, such as checking the weather or finding a nearby service, a search engine is usually the better choice. 

To help reduce energy use, consider saving AI for more complex tasks, such as drafting documents, planning a trip, analysing information, or solving problems that require more detailed support.

Cybercrime is on the rise and we must all be more careful when using digital tools. For guidance on what to look out for and what to do if you think you’re being digitally scammed, please visit Ability Net

Digital phone services rely on mains electricity, so unlike traditional analogue landlines, they will not normally work during a power cut.

We recommend keeping a mobile phone charged and available as a backup, particularly in case of an emergency. If you are registered as a vulnerable customer with your Internet Service Provider, they may provide additional support to help you stay connected during a power outage, such as a backup battery solution.

If you have a family member or friend who is vulnerable, ensure their service provider is aware so that support can be put in place before the switch to a digital phone service.

Not necessarily. Each provider will have different solutions. Some may require you to take up a broadband package and others may be able to provide landline only packages. Speak to your provider to see what options are available to you.