CityFibre speeds up Bury St Edmunds’ digital transformation

Work to transform Bury St Edmunds into one of the world’s best digitally connected towns is underway.

Bury St Edmunds is celebrating a major milestone in its digital transformation with work now well underway to build a full fibre network to reach almost every home and business in the town.

CityFibre is investing £8m in Bury to deliver this transformational project which is part of its nationwide plan to replace the country’s ageing copper-based networks with gigabit-capable full fibre connectivity.

Full fibre is currently available to around 13 percent of premises across the UK. It is revered as the best in connectivity for its speed, near unlimited bandwidth and reliability. By using fibre optic cables for every stage of the connection from the customer’s home or business to the internet, users will be offered a significantly superior and more reliable broadband service, capable of Gigabit speeds (1,000 Mbps).

The network is not yet live, but once activated services will be available from an increasing range of broadband providers. Across the UK, CityFibre is already working with launch partner Vodafone to deliver next generation broadband services, and TalkTalk is expected to join the network soon.

Specialist contractor, Lite Access, is delivering the construction programme on CityFibre’s behalf and work is already in progress in Eastgate Ward and will move towards Moreton Hall. As key workers, CityFibre has been asked by the UK Government to continue to expand the nation’s digital capacity. All contractors are being urged to follow the social distancing protocols as outlined by Public Health England to ensure the build partners’ safety.

The company is using modern build techniques to deploy the network quickly, while working closely with West Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council and local communities to manage disruption and ensure a fast, successful roll-out.

Speaking of the project, Charles Kitchin, CityFibre’s City Manager for Bury St Edmunds said: “Full Fibre connectivity and next generation broadband services will transform the lives of those in Bury St Edmunds. This goes far beyond simply helping households access the latest entertainment at lightning speed. The benefits are far deeper, from enabling smart home technology to giving people the freedom to work from home with ease.

“As well as enhancing our home lives, CityFibre’s full fibre network will give the town’s business community the platform they need to realise their growth ambitions. By connecting properties at up to 1000Mbps we’re putting Bury firmly in the top tier of all UK cities for connectivity and establishing it as a globally competitive digital destination.”

Cllr John Griffiths, Leader of West Suffolk Council, added: “We are delighted with this private investment by CityFibre which came about because of the decision by Suffolk Public Sector Leaders to invest in improving the connectivity between the public sector buildings in Suffolk.

“What this now means is greater private investment to deliver future-proof digital infrastructure for residents and businesses across Bury St Edmunds. CityFibre’s full fibre network will be vital, particularly as we look ahead beyond the current coronavirus crisis and to how we re-establish our ways of life, building in, wherever possible, greater resilience and diversity to our economy.”

If residents are interested in full fibre broadband, they can pre-register interest with CityFibre and will receive information when services are available.

To pre-register interest, visit: https://www.cityfibre.com/register/