Over 50 Resident Complaints Prompt Formal Action from Local MP

On 27th May 2025, Sarah Edwards MP for Tamworth wrote a formal letter to Ofcom calling for an urgent investigation into LightSpeed Broadband and BT Openreach following a wave of resident complaints.

In her letter addressed to Melanie Dawes, Chief Executive of Ofcom, Edwards outlines serious concerns about the conduct and communication practices of these telecommunications providers, citing over 50 ongoing complaints related to LightSpeed alone.

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What Is Sarah Edwards MP Accusing LightSpeed Of?

The letter — now available publicly on Sarah Edwards’ Facebook page — outlines several major points of concern:

1. Lack of Consultation with Residents

Both LightSpeed and BT Openreach have reportedly conducted infrastructure work, such as erecting telegraph poles and digging up streets, without informing or consulting affected residents. In some cases, driveways were obstructed without warning, leaving homeowners unable to access their properties.

2. Misrepresentation of MP Support

Perhaps most alarmingly, Edwards states that LightSpeed has falsely claimed she personally approved their works — a claim she describes as “categorically false, highly misleading, and a complete misrepresentation.”

She notes that this not only undermines her role as an elected official but erodes public trust in both telecommunications providers and political representatives.

3. Failure to Honour Commitments

Despite a February meeting with LightSpeed executives, where the company assured her it would improve consultation and engage directly with residents, those promises have not been upheld. The complaints have continued — and even increased — since that meeting.

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A Call for Ofcom to Investigate

The letter ends with a clear call to action:

“This behaviour is unacceptable. I am therefore calling for an urgent investigation by Ofcom into the conduct of both LightSpeed and BT Openreach.”

Edwards argues that residents are being ignored, misled, and disrupted in their own homes, and that telecommunications companies must be held accountable for how they operate in local communities.

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Why This Matters

While many broadband providers claim to be community-driven and customer-focused, Edwards’ letter highlights the stark contrast between marketing and reality. Her actions also mark a significant moment — a sitting MP publicly calling out and escalating a private company’s conduct to the national regulator.

For residents in Tamworth and beyond, this signals that if you’ve experienced similar issues with broadband installation or pole erection, you’re not alone — and there is now political momentum behind getting answers and change.

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What You Can Do

If you’ve been affected by unconsulted broadband works, poles on your street, or misleading claims from providers:

• 📣 Report it to Ofcom: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/complaints
• 📧 Contact your MP — especially if you’re in Staffordshire or nearby regions
• 🗣️ Join the conversation on Sarah Edwards MP’s Facebook page
• 📰 Share this article with local groups, forums, or press to help raise awareness

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Final Thoughts

Sarah Edwards MP has taken a bold and public stand on behalf of her constituents, demanding accountability from telecom providers. As fibre broadband expansion continues across the UK, her actions may set a precedent for how such projects are expected to treat communities — not just as rollout targets, but as real people with a right to transparency and respect.