CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full-fibre provider, has secured £318 million of government funding to deliver digital infrastructure while also making a private investment of £170 million, benefitting rural homes and businesses.
The company will deliver gigabit-capable infrastructure for around 218,000 homes and businesses in Norfolk, Suffolk and Hampshire who will be given access to lightning-fast broadband connection.
The funding comes as part of Project Gigabit, the government’s £5 billion mission to rollout gigabit-capable, reliable broadband across the UK providing individuals with the ability to bank online, conduct business, shop, communicate and stream entertainment.
Survey work will commence immediately which will build upon the gigabit coverage across the UK as it jumps to 76%, up from 6% at the start of 2019, providing broadband services over a network capable of supporting speeds of up to 10Gbps.
Elizabeth Anderson, Interim CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, commented:“Government funding is essential to tackling digital exclusion, particularly in rural areas, and it is excellent to see the work with CityFibre continue to deliver a nationwide broadband rollout. Going without broadband has a detrimental impact on people’s daily lives, preventing them from accessing core services such as digital banking, online healthcare and education resources, so maintaining investment in these schemes is vital.
“Ensuring affordable connectivity for those in need is one of the core missions recently set out by the DPA’s National Delivery Plan and it is important that affordability on a sustainable basis is considered alongside any broadband rollout to make it truly accessible.”
“Building on broadband initiatives is a positive step but there is still significant work to be done to support the millions across the UK who suffer from digital poverty, going without essential online services. Continued rollouts alongside digital skills training and access to devices must be at the forefront of government policy, businesses and communities to collectively tackle digital exclusion.”
Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, Sir John Whittingdale, said: “Access to lightning-speed broadband is key to the government’s plans for driving economic growth and levelling up communities. This investment of £318 million 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.”
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