Upgrading London’s broadband from the fibre up - an Interview with Installation Supervisor, Toby Carville.

What’s your career looked like so far?

Before joining G.Network, I’d been working on various broadband networks around the UK. I was loving what I was doing, but working for a big company there was never the opportunity to get as involved as I would have liked. 

At that point, I’d started to hear talk about G.Network and the fact that there was a huge focus on community, self-development and career progression - not to mention the opportunity to work on a brand-new, state-of-the-art fibre network.

To top it off, I already knew a few people who worked there. So, when I saw they were hiring Fibre Specialists, I leapt at it, and I’m glad I did because it’s been the perfect change of pace for me. 

I joined as a Fibre Specialist but the career progression so far has been second to none. Since joining G.Network, I’ve worked my way up through the ranks to my current position as Installation Supervisor. 

Describe your current role for us. What’s it like? 

As Installation Supervisor, I look after 5 installation teams, each made up of 2 Fibre Specialists. They help customers by bringing fibre from the street into their homes and businesses.

From working with internal departments to negotiating access with landlords, my role is customer-focused and incredibly varied - and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What difference does your role make? Who does your role impact? Why is it important? 

It’s my job to make sure my teams have the tools and information they need to get the job done on-time, to a high standard and, most importantly, safely.

I keep a firm grip on our project schedule and keep it running like clockwork. If anything is stopping an installation from going ahead, I’m the one who jumps in and fixes it. 

If you’re working as a Fibre Specialist in one of my teams, I’m working alongside you to make sure your day goes as smoothly as possible.

“My job is to help you excel at yours.”

There’s a big focus on personal development and team mentality here at G.Network too, so I’m here to help you build on your strengths and upskill where it’s needed.

If a member of one of our teams is having trouble with a project, we all jump in to help them out. Everyone looks out for each other, so you never feel like you’re on your own.

What does an average day look like for you? 

The Fibre Specialists I supervise typically carry out 2 installations a day, and we keep a team on-call to attend to any customer connection problems. We’re all flexible because we need to identify and fix any customer issues alongside the day job. 

Across both jobs, there’s no real ‘average’ day - everything is heavily customer-focused and with that comes a great deal of variety. 

That’s one of the many things I enjoy about working with G.Network - no two days are the same. 

Why a career in fibre? 

During the pandemic we heard countless stories of customers who were trying to work from home, educate their kids and keep in touch with family on connections that weren’t up to the job. That’s why an upgrade is sorely needed - because most Londoners still access the internet using outdated copper connections.

G.Network is upgrading Londoners’ broadband from copper to fibre, and in the next few years, G.Network will offer better connectivity to 1.4 million premises across a huge area of the city. It’s a project that’s been welcomed by people across the whole capital as fast internet becomes ever-more important to their day-to-day lives. 

It’s an exciting, once-in-a-generation effort that will have a positive impact on residents and businesses for years to come. And the skills of those who work on the network will always be in demand. 

If you’re considering a career in broadband, now is a perfect time to take that first step.

Why G.Network? What makes it a great place to work? 

G.Network is having a huge impact on the city, and we’re expanding quickly. As a result, there’s an opportunity for you to learn a huge amount in a very short space of time.

We’re a sociable bunch, too. From GoKarting to paintballing and nights out to pre-shift breakfasts, we always make time to get together with each other and build on the strong family culture we already have. 

The team’s incredibly diverse and we have an inclusive and welcoming environment inside and outside of work.

On top of that, the company really looks out for you. Alongside the great benefits and perks including private healthcare, G.Network will put you through both internal and external courses, giving you everything you need to build a strong career in the industry. 

What can you expect from a career at G.Network? 

Firstly, there’s a massive focus on internal progression, so if you’re willing to hit the ground running and work hard, there’s a lot of scope for both upward and sideways movement. 

For example, if you join as a Fibre Specialist and love it, there’ll be room for you to grow into Principal Fibre Specialist, Supervisor and Manager roles. If you find that it’s not for you, our Talent team will help you find the right role for you within other areas of the business. We treat our teams like family, and we all look after each other.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in your field? 

Don’t let a lack of experience put you off applying for a job you’re interested in. If you’re ambitious and customer-focused, we’ll teach you everything you need to know. 

However, you must be open to learn new things and can remain open and flexible in the face of any challenges you face.