First Stirling residents enjoy gigabit speeds as CityFibre rollout reaches new milestone

Stirling’s digital transformation gathers pace as first homes connect to next generation full fibre network

Stirling’s digital transformation has reached another milestone now that the first residents have connected to the new state-of-the-art full fibre network. CityFibre is investing more than £10m to bring gigabit-speed connectivity to the city as part of its strategic partnership with Vodafone. Construction work began in November 2018, with swift progress made since then. More than 42km of fibre cables have been laid to date, with work now largely completed in Cambusbarron. Broomridge, Bannockburn and Braehead are still in progress, with Raploch, Riverside and Bridge of Allan set to be the next areas to benefit from the roll-out. CityFibre’s project will reach almost every home and business in Stirling and Bridge of Allan, significantly extending the company’s existing network in the city. As progress continues, CityFibre is committed to keeping local businesses and residents fully up-to-date on plans for each community, as well as highlighting the benefits that access to full fibre will bring to all. Elaine Doherty, CityFibre’s city development manager for Stirling, said: “We’re really excited to be connecting the first Vodafone Gigafast Broadband customers to our network as we reach this new milestone in the digital transformation of Stirling. We are making the city one of the best-connected places in the country and it’s heartening to hear the feedback of those residents who are benefiting from gigabit-speed connectivity and seeing first-hand the difference it can make to their lives.” Vodafone is using CityFibre’s network to bring ‘Vodafone Gigafast Broadband’ to residential customers in the city. Neil Blagden, director of digital and commercial operations at Vodafone UK, said: “The response from residents to our ‘Vodafone Gigafast Broadband’ offer has been fantastic and as we’re continuing to connect customers to the network, the benefits are already speaking for themselves.” CityFibre is on the ground delivering its initial target of bringing full fibre to one million UK homes and businesses by 2021, with 12 towns and cities, including Stirling, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, already earmarked for full fibre investment. Currently, full fibre connectivity is available to just 7% of premises across the UK. City-wide deployment of the full fibre network expansion in Stirling is due to be complete in 2020 and modern build techniques are ensuring that progress is happening quickly and with minimal disruption.