Councillors get closer look at Coventry’s digital transformation as full fibre project gathers pace

Rollout of city’s next-generation broadband network continues – with homes beginning to feel benefits. Coventry’s digital revolution has taken a major step forward with the first households in the city now connected to a new full fibre broadband network. CityFibre is investing more than £60million into Coventry to bring gigabit-speed internet connectivity to the city as part of a strategic partnership with Vodafone. Network construction began in November last year, and now households in the Old Church Road and Gayer Street areas of the city are the first to enjoy Gigafast Broadband services from Vodafone, with Longford and Bell Green set to be the next locations to benefit. Progress on the digital infrastructure has been rapid thanks to the understanding of local communities, as well as CityFibre’s pilot of aerial deployment, which has proven to minimise disruption to the local area while being more time efficient. To mark the milestone, two city councillors – Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration, and digital champion, Richard Brown – took part in a tour of the first areas to benefit. As work continues, CityFibre is committed to keeping local businesses and residents up-to-date with the latest developments, as well as highlighting the benefits that access to full fibre will bring. Leigh Hunt, CityFibre’s City Development Manager for Coventry, commented: “Coventry is among the first UK cities announced in our national rollout of full fibre broadband to five million UK homes and businesses. We’ve made huge progress and it is tremendous to see the first homes now reaping the benefits of full fibre. “This state-of-the-art digital connectivity will have a huge economic impact on the city, increasing productivity and innovation within businesses and allowing households to embrace smart tech while giving people the opportunity to work at home with ease. “Coventry City Council has been extremely supportive of the project, and really understand the benefits of excellent city-wide connectivity, so it was fantastic to meet with Councillor O’Boyle and Councillor Brown to give them a closer look at the progress which has been made so far.” Cllr Richard Brown, Chair of Coventry City Council’s Audit and Procurement Committee, said he was pleased with the progress being made. He added: “A better and faster digital infrastructure will make a massive difference to local people and businesses. I’ve been really impressed with what I have seen, and CityFibre appear to be letting customers know why the improvement work is happening. This project is really positive for the city.” Vodafone is using CityFibre’s network to bring Vodafone Gigafast Broadband to residential customers in Coventry. Jonathan Conway, Vodafone’s City Development Manager for Coventry, said: “With the first customers now connected to Vodafone Gigafast Broadband, we have begun the digital transformation of Coventry. I’m really excited, talking to our customers and seeing the difference a full fibre network infrastructure can make to the way people live and work.” To find out more about Vodafone Gigafast Broadband and to register your interest, visit: vodafone.co.uk/gigafast. To find out more about CityFibre’s Gigabit City vision for Coventry visit: cityfibre.com/coventry.