ABINGDON, UK – Rural broadband specialist, Gigaclear, has awarded international fibre-optic products and advanced installation methodologies, Lite Access Technologies, the contract to bring ultrafast, full fibre broadband to more than 10,000 properties to some of the most rural parts of West Oxfordshire.
The contract will see Lite Access carry out all civil engineering work and installation of the fibre cables, using innovative techniques that have become the recommended and preferred method of fibre installation. One such technique is its narrow trenching technology, which has the ability to trench in excess of 200 metres a day. This technology speeds up installation whilst minimising the impact of the work on the local community and the environment.
Offering a wealth of experience from similar projects in rural Canada and knowledge of building networks globally, the contract will ensure smooth deployment of Gigaclear’s Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) service. Once connected to the network, homes and businesses will have access to speeds of up to 1Gbps (1,000Mb/s). The build is looking to commence in the Langford and Great Tew areas in the coming months, with the full roll out due to be completed by the end of 2019.
Brett Shepherd, chief operating officer, Gigaclear said: ‘This new contract will enable Gigaclear to continue to roll out world class broadband, this time to homes and businesses in West Oxfordshire, using the very latest installation technology and equipment.
‘Due to their experience deploying similar projects throughout rural Canada, Lite Access Technologies is the ideal partner for Gigaclear. This represents a fantastic opportunity to work with a really innovative construction partner and we are really looking forward to bringing ultrafast, reliable broadband to the residents of West Oxfordshire.’
Dylan Griffiths, managing director, Lite Access Technologies UK added: ‘Lite Access UK is delighted to have been awarded the contract by Gigaclear. It gives us a great platform to utilise our years of experience of similar fibre deployment projects in rural Canada. It is also an opportunity for us to demonstrate the full capabilities of our unique, customised cutting blades and attachments which have been specially redesigned for micro duct deployment in the UK to deliver ultrafast Fibre-to-the-Premises broadband.’
The first phase of the project is a jointly funded £8m plan to bring full fibre to 4,600 properties. In addition, Gigaclear has announced that it is investing a further £8m to connect another 5,700 homes and businesses in the area, linking existing networks together and extending the provider’s already significant footprint in the district. For more information on the West Oxfordshire roll out, visit the Gigaclear website.