UK open access fiber to the premises (FTTP) network operator CityFibre says it has added 14 towns and cities to its FTTP deployment list. The new markets bring to 26 the number of locations where CityFibre plans to bring gigabit-capable fiber broadband networks as part of a £2.5 billion ($3.12 billion) initiative (see "CityFibre taps Prysmian as fiber-optic cable supplier for Gigabit City FTTP roll-out").
Once completed, the FTTP roll-out to the 26 markets will bring CityFibre’s network within reach of more than 2 million homes. The company plans to pass at least 5 million homes when its full plans have been enacted.
The new cities include:
- Batley
- Bradford
- Derby
- Dewsbury
- Doncaster
- Inverness
- Ipswich
- Leicester
- Lowestoft
- Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- Rotherham
- Slough
- Swindon
- Worthing.
In addition to providing direct gigabit fiber broadband connections, CityFibre says the new infrastructure also will support 5G small cell densification as well as smart city initiatives. The company estimates the financial benefits of the FTTP infrastructure could exceed £16.3 billion ($20.34 billion) and create more than 115,000 indirect jobs. More than 3,250 construction jobs will be created via the 26-city deployment, CityFibre estimates.
“CityFibre’s sole purpose is to deliver the future-proof digital infrastructure the UK deserves,” commented company CEO Greg Mesch. “With a new Prime Minister set to increase government’s ambitions for the pace of full fiber rollout, we are delighted to welcome another 14 towns and cities to our Gigabit City Club. These Gigabit Cities will not only gain new full fiber networks that will spark their digital transformation, but also unleash the benefits that only competitive infrastructure investment can bring.”
CityFibre’s previous 12 targets include:
- Milton Keynes
- Peterborough
- Aberdeen
- Edinburgh
- Coventry
- Stirling
- Huddersfield
- Leeds
- Cambridge
- Southend
- Bournemouth
- Northampton.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.