Council leaders get closer look at Aberdeen’s digital transformation as full fibre project gathers pace

Roll-out of city’s next-generation broadband network continues – with homes beginning to feel benefits Aberdeen’s digital revolution took a significant step forward this month as the first households connected to a new full fibre broadband network. CityFibre is investing more than £40million into Aberdeen to bring gigabit-speed connectivity to the city as part of a strategic partnership with Vodafone, with work now largely complete in Kincorth and Northfield. As construction ramps up in Scotland’s first Gigabit City, CityFibre has appointed a second civil engineering firm - Actavo - to further support the delivery of the new state-of-the-art full fibre network, with Torry set to be the next area to benefit. Co-leaders of Aberdeen City Council, Douglas Lumsden and Jenny Laing, took part in a dig walk in the Torry area earlier this week to see the construction process first-hand alongside representatives from CityFibre. The build programme is set continue for the next two years, with city-wide construction due for completion in 2021. As progress continues, CityFibre will be keeping local businesses and residents fully up-to-date on plans for each community. Allan McEwan, CityFibre’s City Development Manager for Aberdeen, said: “Aberdeen was the first Scottish city announced as part of our national roll-out to bring full fibre broadband to five million UK homes and businesses. It is fantastic to see it now coming to life with the first homes now beginning to connect to the network. “This is a major chapter in Aberdeen’s digital story and the benefits will be huge for all aspects of society – whether it’s helping businesses become more innovative and productive, helping households make better use of smart technology or increasing the ability of local professionals to work efficiently and effectively from home. “Our appointment of Actavo at this stage of the build shows that we are serious about this rollout and it was a pleasure to be joined by the co-leaders of Aberdeen City Council to give them a closer look at the real progress we are making.” Aberdeen was chosen as the first city in Scotland to receive this multi-million pound digital investment because of the city’s emergent tech sector, the council’s forward-looking commitment to developing ‘smart city’ initiatives and the strength of its support for the project. Councillor Douglas Lumsden, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council and Convener of the City Growth and Resource Committee, added: “The build progress is very encouraging and the project is bringing enormous benefits to households and businesses throughout the city. “Becoming Scotland’s first Gigabit City is a real statement of intent for Aberdeen as the digital infrastructure that will underpin our future continues to take shape. World class connectivity will be vital in supporting our economic and social ambitions and the Council is pleased to be working in partnership with CityFibre and Vodafone to support a landmark project. Vodafone will use CityFibre’s network to bring Vodafone Gigafast Broadband to residential customers in Aberdeen. Chris Carroll, City Manager for Aberdeen, Vodafone, said: “There has been a fantastic response from Aberdonians to the potential offered by our Gigafast service. Our brand ambassadors have been all over the city explaining the difference this will make to broadband within homes and we are thrilled to say that more than 5000 households are now within reach of full fibre internet. “In early 2019, the roll-out will rapidly accelerate which is great news for the city as people have registered their interest by the thousands. The first homes are starting to connect and, as each new area of the city ‘goes live’, we’ll be keeping local residents fully up-to-date on how they can join the full fibre revolution. To find out more about Vodafone Gigafast Broadband and to register your interest visit: www.vodafone.co.uk /gigafast To find out more about CityFibre’s Gigabit City vision for Aberdeen visit: www.cityfibre.com/Aberdeen