Project Gigabit

What is Project Gigabit?

Project Gigabit is the UK government’s programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband.

The fast, reliable connections delivered by Project Gigabit will benefit mostly rural and remote communities across the UK.​

Project Gigabit is managed by Building Digital UK (BDUK), an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

You can find out more on the government’s Building Digital UK GOV.UK page.

Check your availability today

Please note, more recently announced locations may not show an accurate result until our surveys are complete. You can still register your interest and we will keep you updated.

How is CityFibre involved?

As the UK’s largest, independent full fibre network, we already serve millions of premises in cities, towns and villages nationwide. This makes our platform ideal for expansion into many rural and hard-to-reach areas.

The cost to serve harder-to-reach areas is often prohibitively high though. In our nine Project Gigabit contract award areas, UK government subsidise our build costs based on their careful assessment of premises that would otherwise get left behind. Thanks to this funding support, we're able to make a meaningful difference to communities that have long-since deserved much better broadband.

How our network is different

The modern fibre-only network we’re building is different from all existing infrastructure serving the area. It’s built from scratch to be faster and more reliable. Homes and businesses will have access to low latency, symmetrical services of up to 2.5Gbps, with the network itself capable of up to 10Gbps in future.

Broadband packages are provided and supported by well-known internet service providers, as well as a range of fresh names - often with something special to offer.

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Joining our network

If we could build it overnight, we would, but these things take time. As we build, we’ll do our best to make sure everyone knows what to expect, when to expect it and where they can order from.

If you’re a resident or run a business in the area, it’s a good idea to check your address on our website from time to time in case plans change. We also recommend registering your interest with us – especially if you’re keen to benefit from your new network as soon as it's available.

Project Gigabit FAQs

PROJECTS UNDERWAY

CityFibre has committed to deliver nine regional Project Gigabit contracts covering around 464,000 subsidised premises in total, with over 900,000 more homes and businesses set to be covered by our parallel commercial build. Together these projects represent a UK government investment of over £782 million and parallel private investment by CityFibre of around £391 million.

  • Cambridgeshire

    In February 2023, CityFibre was awarded the £69 million Project Gigabit contract to provide gigabit-capable broadband to up to 45,000 hard-to-reach premises in Cambridgeshire and adjacent areas.

    In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.

    The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected in early 2024, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.

    This work in Cambridgeshire extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the area since 2018, including Peterborough, Cambridge, March, Whittlesey and Yaxley.

  • Hampshire

    In June 2023, CityFibre was awarded the £104 million Project Gigabit contract to connect around 76,000 hard-to-reach premises across Hampshire, including East Hampshire, Rushmoor and Test Valley.

    In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.

    CityFibre will also back existing work ongoing across Hampshire to protect biodiversity, support rewilding and stimulate conservation. This includes grants to local charities and making over a thousand hours of environmental volunteering opportunities available to CityFibre and supply chain employees.

    The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected by summer 2024, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.

    This work in Hampshire extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the area since 2019, including Portsmouth and more recently Havant.

  • Norfolk

    In June 2023, CityFibre was awarded the £114 million Project Gigabit contract to connect around 62,000 hard-to-reach premises across Norfolk, including Buxton, Castle Acre and Horning.

    In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.

    We will also provide internships for local people, as well as apprenticeship opportunities and work experience placements for local students undertaking Construction and Digital T-levels.

    The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected by Summer 2024, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.

    This work in Norfolk extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the area since 2021, including Norwich, and more recently Great Yarmouth.

  • Suffolk

    In June 2023, CityFibre was awarded the £100 million Project Gigabit contract to connect around 80,000 hard-to-reach premises across Suffolk, including Icklingham, Mellis and Ringshall.

    In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.

    We will also connect a minimum of 30 community centres for free and donate to local charities working to connect people, tackle loneliness and reduce health inequalities through innovative digital solutions.

    The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected by Summer 2024, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.

    This work in Suffolk extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in Suffolk since 2020, including Ipswich, Bury St Edmonds and Lowestoft.

  • Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire & East Berkshire

    In January 2024, CityFibre was awarded the £58 million Project Gigabit contract to connect over 34,000 hard-to-reach premises across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and East Berkshire, including Cookham, Quainton and Potten End.

    In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.

    We will also work with local organisations to bring value to local communities in areas such as education, skills development, local job creation, and workforce equality.

    The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected in early 2025, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.

    This work in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and East Berkshire extends the infrastructure we’ve already been building in the area, including Slough, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Reading and High Wycombe.

  • Leicestershire & Warwickshire

    In January 2024, CityFibre was awarded the £71million Project Gigabit contract to connect over 38,000 hard-to-reach premises across Leicestershire and Warwickshire, including Sheepy Magna and Claverdon.

    In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.

    We will also work with local organisations to bring value to local communities in areas such as education, skills development, local job creation, and workforce equality.

    The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected in early 2025, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.

    This work in Leicestershire and Warwickshire extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the area since 2018, including Coventry, Leicester and Rugby.

  • East & West Sussex

    In January 2024, CityFibre was awarded the £100 million Project Gigabit contract to connect over 52,000 hard-to-reach premises across East and West Sussex, including Framfield and Fittleworth.

    In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.

    We will also work with local organisations to bring value to local communities in areas such as education, skills development, local job creation, and workforce equality.

    The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected in early 2025, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.

    This work in East and West Sussex extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the area since 2019, including Worthing, Chichester and Eastbourne.

  • Kent

    In January 2024, CityFibre was awarded the £112 million Project Gigabit contract to connect over 50,000 hard-to-reach premises across Kent, including Bossingham and Lower Upnor.

    In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.

    We will also work with local organisations to bring value to local communities in areas such as education, skills development, local job creation, and workforce equality.

    The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected in early 2025, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.

    This work in Kent extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the unitary authority of Medway since 2020, including Chatham and Gillingham.

  • Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire & Milton Keynes

    In January 2024, CityFibre was awarded the £51 million Project Gigabit contract to connect over 25,000 hard-to-reach premises across Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, including Great and Little Addington and Marston St Lawrence.

    In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.

    We will also work with local organisations to bring value to local communities in areas such as education, skills development, local job creation, and workforce equality.

    The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected in early 2025, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.

    This work in Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the area since 2018, including Milton Keynes and Northampton.

CityFibre Community Fund

The CityFibre Community Fund supports digital inclusion, innovation and community engagement in areas where CityFibre operates. The CityFibre Community Fund is seeking new non-profit organisations to join its portfolio of funded partners.

The fund is divided into two primary programmes:

  • CityFibre Small Grants: A centrally run small grants programme that provides funding of up to £1500 to community projects addressing digital barriers affecting local communities providing one-off small grants with a rolling application.
  • CityFibre Large Grants: A larger, more localised grant programme that supports initiatives addressing systemic and strategic issues of digital innovation and inclusion.

These grants are invitation to tender only. Both programmes work together to meet community needs and enhance social value. To apply for a CityFibre Small Grant, please select the link below.

Apply today

CityFibre community fund

Fund objectives

The CityFibre Community Fund has four key objectives:

  • Promote Digital Inclusion: Support projects that help bridge the digital divide, particularly for vulnerable and underrepresented groups, including low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
  • Foster Digital Innovation: Encourage initiatives that drive technological innovation, enhance digital literacy, and promote access to technology in ways that address local challenges.
  • Support Local Communities: Respond to community-specific needs as identified by local residents, focusing on improving digital access and services that impact daily life.
  • Encourage Volunteering and Community Engagement: Create opportunities for CityFibre employees and the wider community to engage in meaningful volunteer work that aligns with CityFibre and encourage goodwill in the community.

CityFibre is dedicated in its work to support the nation in welcoming a better-connected future. To find out more about CityFibre and the work we do, visit our about us section.

Project Gigabit news

All our related news and announcements in one place

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Frequently asked questions

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