Cheltenham set for Full Fibre boost as CityFibre announces £30m town-wide roll-out

CityFibre has named Cheltenham as the next UK town in line for a multi-million- investment in its digital infrastructure – a move that will see it become one of the world’s best-connected communities.

Nationally, CityFibre is building new and better broadband infrastructure for up to 8 million homes and businesses through its up to £4bn Gigabit City Investment Programme. It is set to invest £30m in a new town-wide network that will bring full fibre connectivity – the best technology for the job – within reach of every home and business in Cheltenham.

Full fibre networks, unlike many of the copper-based ‘fibre broadband’ services available today, use 100% fibre optic cables to carry data at light speed all the way from the home to the point of connection. This gives users speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps for upload and download, near limitless bandwidth and connectivity users can depend on.

A full fibre connection also goes far beyond simply enabling access to the latest entertainment at lightning speed. As an essential digital utility, full fibre boosts households and businesses alike, with experts saying it will drive a range of economic benefits, such as making us more productive and innovative.

As City Manager, Neil Madle will lead the delivery of CityFibre’s Cheltenham project. He will be responsible for ensuring works are delivered efficiently and considerately, while also acting as the main point of contact for all stakeholders.

Neil Madle, said: “The next chapter in Cheltenham’s story starts here. Our builders will soon get to work on a town-wide Full Fibre network – and we think people will be blown away by the difference it will make, both now and for generations to come. We cannot wait for residents and businesses to see what is possible with digital connectivity that propels you forward rather than holds you back.”

Alex Chalk, Member of Parliament for Cheltenham, added: “Securing ultrafast broadband for Cheltenham has long been a key personal priority, and I am delighted to see this latest investment. It will help us build back better, and positions Cheltenham as an even better place to live, work and visit.”

Construction work on the full fibre network will begin in April. As work is completed in each neighbourhood, internet service providers (ISPs) will ‘light up the network’ with some of the fastest and most competitive broadband packages available in terms of both data and price.

Across the UK, CityFibre is already working with launch partner Vodafone and also TalkTalk to deliver next generation broadband services, with other providers expected to join the network soon.

Residents in Cheltenham interested in giving their home broadband a boost can find out more about the build, pre-register their interest and find out when new ISPs join at www.cityfibre.com/residential