Peterborough’s full fibre transformation gathers pace as CityFibre names second contractor

Peterborough’s citywide full fibre transformation is gathering momentum as CityFibre appoints an additional local construction partner 12 months into the project. The roll out of gigabit-capable full fibre infrastructure to nearly every home and business in Peterborough is set to accelerate rapidly this summer following CityFibre’s appointment of a second construction partner. Locally based firm, Telcabo, which has served the telecommunications sector since it was established in Portugal in the 1980s, is set to start work in the next area of the Ortons this month. This latest appointment will build on the work being completed by Morrison Utility Services, which has so far brought the network within reach of Garton End, New England, Paston, Dogsthorpe, Newark, Eastfield, Parnwell and The Ortons, where construction is currently ongoing. Speaking of the appointment, Rebecca Stephens, CityFibre’s city manager for Peterborough, said: “What a difference a year makes. Just 12 months ago, we got to work on extending the network citywide. Now, we are appointing our second contractor and preparing to scale up our build programme as services continue to go live across Peterborough. “We look forward to working with Telcabo, Peterborough’s citizens and our local authority partners as we move into new areas of the city and light up more streets with reliable, gigabit capable broadband connectivity. We will also be applying our learnings from the build so far and doing whatever we can to manage disruption and minimise the time we spend in each location.” Rui Rosa, general manager for Telcabo, added: “We’re very excited to be working with CityFibre and the Peterborough community to deliver this transformational project and help future proof the city’s digital capabilities for decades to come. “We bring to the project decades of experience in deploying digital infrastructure and like CityFibre, we are committed to working with all stakeholders to deliver a quality build and maintain effective communication with residents as we progress through the city.” Launched a year ago this month (July 2018), CityFibre’s £30m fibre-to-the-premises project in Peterborough will bring reliable, high capacity, gigabit-capable broadband within reach of every home and business in the city by the end of 2021. The project forms part of CityFibre’s overarching strategic plan to bring full fibre connectivity within reach of five million homes and businesses by 2025. According to research, it could unlock millions in local economic benefit for the city, including £55m in business productivity and innovation, up to £45m in increased property valuations and £25m driven by new business start-ups. CityFibre’s partnership with Peterborough is longstanding. In 2013 in commenced work to connect 100 public sector sites including schools, libraries and offices, in partnership with Peterborough City Council. The new 120Km network was then opened to business users in 2015, before it was extended to an additional 220 local authority sites in 2018. John Holdich, leader of Peterborough Council, said: “Access to full fibre already plays an important role in Peterborough’s economic and civic life, and this will continue as the roll out reaches new areas and we unlock new digital capabilities as a smart city. “The council has been working closely with CityFibre on this project and it is fantastic to see it gather momentum with Telcabo’s appointment just one year in.” To keep up to date with the Gigabit City network extension in Peterborough, visit: www.cityfibre.com/peterborough or follow @CityFibre. Peterborough residents can connect to the network via Vodafone. To register your interest in Vodafone Gigafast broadband visit: www.vodafone.co.uk/gigafast/register