Gloucester to reap benefits of £31m full fibre investment

Nearly every home and business in Gloucester will gain access to next-generation broadband thanks to a major investment by CityFibre.

Gloucester is to benefit from an investment of at least £31m in its digital future, as part of CityFibre’s plans to upgrade the nation’s legacy networks with gigabit-capable full fibre connectivity.

The state-of-the-art infrastructure is expected to boost business productivity and innovation and deliver millions in economic benefits for the city, while giving residents access to the UK’s fastest broadband services.

Detailed planning is already underway as CityFibre, the UK’s third national infrastructure platform, designs a network capable of serving Gloucester’s current and future demands. Upon completion, the network will be in reach of nearly every home and business in the city and will provide a platform for a new generation of “smart city” applications, as well as the roll-out of 5G mobile services.

CityFibre has appointed Neil Madle as City Manager to spearhead delivery of the Gloucester project, which is due to commence in January. In this role, Neil will be responsible for ensuring the state-of-the-art full fibre network is implemented with minimal disruption while delivering maximum benefit for the wider community.

Neil will also be the lead point of contact for all the city’s stakeholders and a key advocate of the wide-ranging benefits that a full fibre network will bring to Gloucester’s residents and businesses.

Neil said: “Over the past nine months, most of us will have recognised just how important digital connectivity is to our lives and how much of an enabler it is when it comes to work, home and play.

“This is exactly why investment in digital infrastructure is so important today, and I’m really excited to be working with an organisation that is championing Full Fibre investment in not only communities like Gloucester, but right across the UK. I look forward to working with the city’s residents, businesses and other key stakeholders to deliver this transformational project.”

Neil has detailed knowledge of the Gloucester area, initially working as a reporter on local newspapers before representing south west-based technology firms in senior communications roles. He is also CityFibre’s City Manager for Swindon.

Kier Group is delivering the construction programme on CityFibre’s behalf, using modern build techniques to deploy the network quickly. CityFibre will work closely with Gloucester City Council and local communities to ensure a fast and successful roll-out. Residents are being kept informed by mailings ahead of works commencing in their streets.

David Green, Managing Director at Kier Utilities & Rail, said: “We are pleased to be working on this contract for CityFibre in Gloucester. It’s great to be part of an enterprise that transforms communities’ digital experiences, by giving them reliable, futureproof broadband.”

Councillor Richard Cook, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “I’m delighted that the work being done by CityFibre to make Gloucester a city fit for the future is set to get off the ground. It is particularly welcome with the multi million pound regeneration of Kings Quarter currently taking place. This will see the development of one of the largest digital quarters in the UK with The Forum, a vibrant new social and digital campus for the South West acting as a catalyst for an emerging digital and cyber security sector.”

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.

If residents are interested in full fibre broadband, they can pre-register interest with CityFibre to receive information when services are available. To pre-register, visit: cityfibre.com/residential