An estimated six million people around the world are benefitting from consistent and reliable digital connectivity during the Covid-19 crisis thanks to WiredScore, an international digital connectivity rating company backed by Legal & General.
Legal & General invested in WiredScore two years ago because of the key role that technology will play in making the cities of the future great places to live and work, but the pandemic has accelerated the need for reliable digital services.
The company operates certification schemes for landlords with commercial and residential properties and has so far certified the connectivity of around 3,000 commercial buildings across 10 countries, as well as 10,000 homes in the UK. It means the millions of people who live and work in those buildings can rely on consistent digital connectivity or can be confident that their landlords know what needs to be done to improve it.
The company was founded in New York but launched in the UK five years ago after winning the Greater London Authority’s tender to be the official Mayor of London’s Digital Connectivity Rating Scheme. As one of the UK’s biggest developers and landlords, Legal & General supported WiredScore’s funding round in 2018, and the company now accredits the digital connectivity of two million square feet of our own commercial real estate as well more than 1,000 of our homes.
Connecting the nation
Our MediaCity development in Manchester was the first in the country to receive the Wired Certified Neighbourhood accreditation, ensuring that organisations ranging from the BBC, ITV and Kellogg’s, to the 200 small businesses in MediaCity’s tech and innovation hub, all enjoy world-leading connectivity.
Other major schemes which have since been awarded WiredScore certification include Hodge House, an 11,000 sq. ft. neoclassical office building in the centre of Cardiff, and the Cambridge Research Park, where scientists are working on drug development to tackle conditions like cancer. Earlier this year, Legal & General’s 479-home build to rent scheme in Walthamstow was awarded the highest accolade WiredScore had ever given for a residential development, offering each of its residents a secure, fast and reliable internet connection as the country went into lockdown.