UK independent network provider CityFibre has been awarded three new contracts under the government’s £5bn Project Gigabit programme. The contracts will subsidise the rollout of full-fibre infrastructure to 218,000 properties in Norfolk, Suffolk and Hampshire, that may otherwise be excluded from commercial rollouts.
The three new contracts, which were awarded under a competitive process, will be supported by an additional private investment from CityFibre of £170m, delivering a combined total investment in the project of £488m.
CityFibre will continue to expand and densify its existing network footprint alongside the Project Gigabit programme, extending its rollout to an additional 283,000 homes across the counties, and bringing the total targeted premises unlocked by the new awards to more than 500,000. CityFibre’s network is built using XGS-PON technology, which can support speeds of up to 10Gb/s.
Detailed planning in the latest locations has begun and the first Project Gigabit connections are expected in early 2024.
CityFibre CEO Greg Mesch comments: “Securing three further Project Gigabit contracts firmly establishes CityFibre as an integral delivery partner to the government for rural connectivity. Our growing participation is central to our strategy, optimising our commercial rollout plan alongside the programme to provide our ISP customers with unrivalled network density in regions throughout the country.”
Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, Sir John Whittingdale, adds: “Access to lightning-speed broadband is key to the Government’s plans for driving economic growth and levelling up communities. This investment of £318m in government funding is a significant milestone in achieving that mission. Delivered through our flagship Project Gigabit programme, 218,000 homes and businesses across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Hampshire will benefit from a modern digital infrastructure, helping to power local communities and our plan to boost connectivity all over the UK.”
