Openreach is delivering full fibre broadband to 38 rural UK communities through Project Gigabit, aiming to connect 290,000 hard to reach properties. The initiative is already boosting business, education and local economies, with potential to add £66 billion to UK GDP and support remote work.
Wildanet is revolutionizing fibre broadband in Cornwall with its latest initiative, leveraging its partnership with Xantaro. With an investment of £77 million, this project under Project Gigabit aims to connect over 35,000 rural premises. Xantaro’s advanced technologies streamline deployment, reduce costs, and enhance connectivity.
Quickline has secured £11 million in public funding to expand its Project Gigabit rollout, bringing full fibre broadband to 6,000 more homes and businesses in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. This investment supports the UK government’s goal of nationwide high-speed internet, ensuring even rural areas gain access.
CityFibre has acquired Connexin’s fibre network, expanding its reach in Hull and East Riding while taking over a £58.6 million Project Gigabit contract. While Connexin retains its ISP and Smart Home businesses, it will operate on CityFibre’s network under a new wholesale agreement, supporting ambitious expansion plans.
CityFibre reported its first full-year profit in 2024, with a 34% revenue increase to £134 million. The company expanded its network to 4.3 million premises and secured £865 million from Project Gigabit.
CityFibre, the UK’s largest alternative network, has committed £150,000 to STEM Learning, bolstering STEM education through innovative initiatives targeting 80 schools in the Project Gigabit footprint. This funding aims to support computer science lessons and inspire students, especially girls, to engage in STEM careers.
In a game-changing move, Voneus aligns with Broadway Partners, Cadence Networks, and SWS Broadband, facilitated by Macquarie Capital, IIF, and Tiger Infrastructure Partners, alongside a hefty £250 million investment. Known for boosting superfast broadband in underserved UK rural areas, Voneus’ ambitious scope partnered with Project Gigabit has proven an investment magnet. Phantom impacts of this colossal merger are yet to unfold, but Voneus sets its sights on servicing 350,000 premises across the UK in a dynamic shift in the telecommunications sector.
CityFibre teams up with four civil engineering firms to aid challenging fibre infrastructure projects in the UK, courtesy of recent government funding. This alliance hastens fibre infrastructure development across several counties, marking Cambridgeshire as the initial rollout area. Noteworthy, however, is the lack of equivalent high-speed, Gigabit-capable infrastructure in these areas before. Although progress has been steady with Project Gigabit, this new venture signals a grand advancement towards achieving nationwide high-speed connectivity.
GoFibre, the Scottish network provider, has recently announced its readiness to commence deployment of fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) in the North Northumberland region, a venture backed by a £7.3 million Project Gigabit contract. They expect to offer commercial services by Autumn, revolutionising the digital landscapes of connected rural communities. However, whilst the mission focuses on battling the rural digital divide, stakeholders question if the UK is meeting its ambitious gigabit rollout targets. Meanwhile, other telecom giants are making their own pioneering moves in the sector.
UK-based CityFibre has acquired a significant £318 million in public funding, aiming to increase high-speed broadband access nationwide. Supported by the government’s Project Gigabit, funds were awarded for bring fibre connectivity to selected regions needing better broadband access. A challenging and expensive task, especially in rural areas, but this initiative could shine a beacon of connected hope. Is the government’s £5 billion goal achievable? Read on to explore the potential impact of this massive contribution to rural telecommunications.
