19 December, 2024: CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform, has begun work to connect more than 45,000 homes and businesses across hard-to-reach areas of Leicestershire and Warwickshire to next generation, full fibre broadband as part of the government’s Project Gigabit.
The rollout in Leicestershire and Warwickshire was made possible by the £77m Project Gigabit award to CityFibre. Project Gigabit is the government-funded programme enabling hard-to-reach communities access fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband, reaching parts of the UK that might otherwise miss out on upgrades to next-generation speeds.
CityFibre is also contributing its own investment to deliver the project and reach even more homes and businesses in the area. CityFibre’s ‘Project Gigabit’ rollouts are part of the company’s commitment to reach at least 8 million premises nationwide.
The 45,000 homes and businesses across hard-to-reach areas of Leicestershire and Warwickshire will have access to full fibre broadband for the first time and this rollout marks the seventh of nine Project Gigabit delivery contracts secured by CityFibre1, with the first Project Gigabit customers already connected in Cambridge, Norfolk and Suffolk2.
CityFibre’s network provides residents and businesses with access to a wide range of Internet Service Providers, including well-known brands like Vodafone, TalkTalk and Zen as well as a number of exciting new providers. Sky’s Full Fibre Broadband will also become available on CityFibre’s full fibre network from next year.
Built using gold-standard XGS-PON technology, capable of supporting speeds of up to 10Gbps, CityFibre’s full fibre network will enable its current and future ISP partners to serve customers with far faster and more reliable broadband services than the legacy copper-based network currently available in the build areas.
Throughout the build, CityFibre will work closely with local stakeholders to ensure disruption is minimised and that the build is managed safely and efficiently. Residents and local businesses will be contacted ahead of any work starting.
Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “Families and businesses across Leicestershire and Warwickshire will soon be reaping the benefits of lightning-fast broadband.
“Thanks to this government-backed project, we are not only giving rural communities the infrastructure they need to thrive in today’s digital world, but enabling students to engage in online learning, improving access to quality healthcare, and securing more jobs in the area.”
Greg Mesch, Chief Executive Officer at CityFibre, said: “Helping hard-to-reach homes and businesses across Leicestershire and Warwickshire to access full fibre will enable residents to stay and thrive within their communities by unlocking new possibilities. Leaving behind the limitations of copper technology and improving vital infrastructure will provide a significant boost for the local economy, making the regions among the best connected in the country.”
Full fibre networks use 100% fibre optic technology to carry data at light speed all the way to the home or business, offering near limitless bandwidth and reliable connectivity. People interested in upgrading to full fibre can find out more about the build, pre-register their interest and ensure they are updated on service availability at: www.cityfibre.com
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1 The nine Project Gigabit Lots won by CityFibre are:
- Cambridgeshire
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Hampshire
- Leicestershire and Warwickshire
- East and West Sussex
- Kent
- Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes
- East Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire
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 CityFibre’s 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’s full fibre network rollout targets 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, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Mubadala Investment Company, Interogo Holding and Newlight Partners.
About 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 £782m in government subsidies to serve up to 1.3m hard to reach rural homes and businesses in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Sussex, Kent, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire & Milton Keynes. 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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