- CityFibre has connected the first UK Government-funded Project Gigabit customers in Hampshire
- Project Gigabit is bringing gigabit-capable broadband to more than 75,000 premises in rural and harder-to-reach communities across Hampshire
- The milestone marks the fourth of ten1 Project Gigabit contracts to be rolled out by CityFibre across the UK
28 April, 2025, London: CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre network, has connected the first Project Gigabit customers in its Hampshire rollout. The rollout was made possible thanks to £104m from the government’s Project Gigabit, which will enable CityFibre to connect more than 75,000 homes and businesses across the area. CityFibre is also contributing its own investment to deliver the project and bring gigabit capable broadband to even more people.
Project Gigabit is the government-funded programme enabling harder-to-reach communities to access fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband, reaching parts of the UK that might otherwise miss out on upgrades to next-generation speeds.
In total, over 1.3 million homes and businesses stand to benefit from CityFibre’s Project Gigabit rollout over the next five years which forms part of the company’s commitment to reach more than eight million premises nationwide.
Among the first to be connected in Hampshire is Ray Rowsell, a resident from Hayling Island. Ray’s experience with copper broadband was enough to prompt a switch to full fibre at the first opportunity, citing numerous issues and dropouts with his previous internet service provider (ISP). “I was already aware of the advantages of full fibre, and anything had to be better than my existing old-school copper installation, which would badly impact video calls and conferencing,” said Ray. “So it was a speedy decision.” Ray has opted for Toob’s full fibre service on CityFibre’s network. With symmetrical speeds of 900Mbps, Ray experienced a huge jump in speed and reliability where, on average, Ray’s previous connection achieved just over 22Mbps in download speed.
In addition to experiencing an upgrade in speeds that were “noticeably quicker from the start”, Ray’s experience with CityFibre’s network has since gone from strength to strength. “It’s been a non-event,” said Ray, “everything works, it’s very quick and no more dropouts!”
Ray’s connection is now much more stable, allowing him to work and connect with others online uninterrupted – something that was previously not possible due to the lack of full fibre infrastructure in the area. The UK government’s investment into Hampshire will unlock faster and more reliable broadband connections for thousands of businesses and residents just like Ray, enabling the area to embrace new levels of connectivity for working, leisure and much more.
Telecoms Minister Chris Bryant, said: “Communities across remote parts of Hampshire will soon see the back of connectivity drop-outs and constant buffering with this installation of lightning-fast broadband.
“We recently launched our Digital Inclusion Action Plan, setting out our next steps to shrink the digital gap. Today’s news is a fantastic example of how a Government-backed contract will help ensure people in rural areas are not left behind and have the tools they need to work and thrive in the digital age.”
Simon Holden, Group Chief Operations Officer at CityFibre, said: “Reliable, high-speed broadband is more than just a convenience, it’s a necessity for work, education and everyday life. Thanks to this investment from Project Gigabit, Hampshire is set to reap the benefits of full fibre and unlock better opportunities for residents and businesses. CityFibre is proud to provide this essential infrastructure to drive digital progress and support the local community’s future.”
Residents and businesses across Hampshire join those in Cambridge, Norfolk and Suffolk2 who have already began to connect to CityFibre’s network as part of Project Gigabit.
The subsidy from BDUK compliments CityFibre’s own commercial investment across the area of Havant to enable even more areas of Hampshire to access full fibre broadband. CityFibre’s ‘Project Gigabit’ rollouts are part of the company’s commitment to reach more than 8 million premises nationwide.
Those wanting to sign up to the CityFibre network can see when services are available in their area by using the postcode checker at www.cityfibre.com.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- 1. CityFibre was directly awarded nine Project Gigabit contracts and have since taken on Connexin’s Project Gigabit contract to rollout fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband to over 34,000 hard-to-reach premises in Nottinghamshire and West Lincolnshire (Lot 10).
- 2. First customer is connected to CityFibre’s ‘Project… | CityFibre
First ‘Project Gigabit’ customers in Norfolk Connect to ultrafast full fibre.
First Project Gigabit customers in Suffolk connect to CityFibres full fibre network
About CityFibre
CityFibre is the UK’s largest independent full fibre infrastructure platform, providing carrier-neutral digital infrastructure to its wholesale customers and enabling ultra-fast, reliable and futureproof broadband, Ethernet and 5G services to homes and businesses as well as schools, hospitals and GP surgeries. CityFibre is rolling out its full fibre network to reach at least a third of the UK market: more than 8 million premises.
As the UK’s most intelligent fibre network, CityFibre is trusted by major Internet Service Providers and mobile operators including TalkTalk, Three, Vodafone and Zen as well as a new generation of smaller regional ISPs dedicated to delivering full fibre broadband. In August 2024, Sky and CityFibre announced a long-term partnership that will see Sky launch broadband services on the CityFibre network.
CityFibre is based in London and is owned by funds managed by Antin Infrastructure Partners, Infrastructure at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Mubadala Investment Company, Interogo Holding, Newlight Partners and PATRIZIA’s European Infrastructure Fund II.
Project Gigabit
Project Gigabit is the UK government’s rollout of lightning-fast, reliable broadband across the UK. The programme targets homes and businesses that are not included in broadband companies’ commercial plans, reaching parts of the country that would otherwise miss out.
To date, CityFibre has secured nine Project Gigabit contracts, totalling over £865m in government subsidies to serve more than 464,000 hard to reach rural homes and businesses in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Sussex, Kent, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire & Milton Keynes. CityFibre has also recently taken over responsibility for a tenth contract following the recent acquisition deal of Connexin’s infrastructure.
Alongside co-investment from CityFibre, the awards have unlocked almost £1.2bn in combined public and private investment in rural broadband.
By the end of 2025, the government is targeting 85% of the UK to have gigabit-capable connectivity, and then nationwide coverage by 2030.
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