Corporate news
WORK BEGINS ON PROJECT GIGABIT ROLLOUT TO 45,000 HARD TO REACH HOMES ACROSS CAMBRIDGESHIRE
19 February 2024
Project Gigabit
Bringing gigabit speed connectivity to hard-to-reach areas #
CityFibre are a proud delivery partner of Project Gigabit, the government’s flagship £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast, gigabit-capable broadband.
What is Project Gigabit? #
Project Gigabit is the government’s flagship £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast, gigabit-capable broadband.
The fast, reliable connections delivered by Project Gigabit will level-up mostly rural and remote communities across the UK.
Project Gigabit is managed by Building Digital UK (BDUK), an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
You can find out more on the government’s Project Gigabit website.
Check your availability today #
Please note, more recently announced locations may not show an accurate result until our surveys are complete. You can still register your interest and we will keep you updated.
How is CityFibre involved? #
As the UK’s largest, independent full fibre network, we already serve millions of premises in cities, towns and villages nationwide. This makes our platform ideal for expansion into many rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The cost to serve harder-to-reach areas is often prohibitively high though. In our nine Project Gigabit contract award areas, UK government subsidise our build costs based on their careful assessment of premises that would otherwise get left behind. Thanks to this funding support, we're able to make a meaningful difference to communities that have long-since deserved much better broadband.
How our network is different #
The modern fibre-only network we’re building is different from all existing infrastructure serving the area. It’s built from scratch to be faster and more reliable. Homes and businesses will have access to low latency, symmetrical services of up to 2.5Gbps, with the network itself capable of up to 10Gbps in future.
Broadband packages will be provided and supported by well-known internet service providers, as well as a range of fresh names - often with something special to offer.
Joining our network #
If we could build it overnight, we would, but these things take time. As we build, we’ll do our best to make sure everyone knows what to expect, when to expect it and where they can order from.
If you’re a resident or run a business in the area, it’s a good idea to check your address on our website from time to time in case plans change. We also recommend registering your interest with us – especially if you’re keen to benefit from your new network as soon as it's available.
PROJECTS UNDERWAY #
CityFibre has committed to deliver nine regional Project Gigabit contracts covering around 464,000 subsidised premises in total, with over 900,000 more homes and businesses set to be covered by our parallel commercial build. Together these projects represent a UK government investment of over £782 million and parallel private investment by CityFibre of around £391 million.
In February 2023, CityFibre was awarded the £69 million Project Gigabit contract to provide gigabit-capable broadband to up to 45,000 hard-to-reach premises in Cambridgeshire and adjacent areas.
In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.
The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected in early 2024, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.
This work in Cambridgeshire extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the area since 2018, including Peterborough, Cambridge, March, Whittlesey and Yaxley.
In June 2023, CityFibre was awarded the £104 million Project Gigabit contract to connect around 76,000 hard-to-reach premises across Hampshire, including East Hampshire, Rushmoor and Test Valley.
In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.
CityFibre will also back existing work ongoing across Hampshire to protect biodiversity, support rewilding and stimulate conservation. This includes grants to local charities and making over a thousand hours of environmental volunteering opportunities available to CityFibre and supply chain employees.
The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected by summer 2024, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.
This work in Hampshire extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the area since 2019, including Portsmouth and more recently Havant.
In June 2023, CityFibre was awarded the £114 million Project Gigabit contract to connect around 62,000 hard-to-reach premises across Norfolk, including Buxton, Castle Acre and Horning.
In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.
We will also provide internships for local people, as well as apprenticeship opportunities and work experience placements for local students undertaking Construction and Digital T-levels.
The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected by Summer 2024, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.
This work in Norfolk extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the area since 2021, including Norwich, and more recently Great Yarmouth.
In June 2023, CityFibre was awarded the £100 million Project Gigabit contract to connect around 80,000 hard-to-reach premises across Suffolk, including Icklingham, Mellis and Ringshall.
In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.
We will also connect a minimum of 30 community centres for free and donate to local charities working to connect people, tackle loneliness and reduce health inequalities through innovative digital solutions.
The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected by Summer 2024, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.
This work in Suffolk extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in Suffolk since 2020, including Ipswich, Bury St Edmonds and Lowestoft.
In January 2024, CityFibre was awarded the £58 million Project Gigabit contract to connect over 34,000 hard-to-reach premises across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and East Berkshire, including Cookham, Quainton and Potten End.
In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.
We will also work with local organisations to bring value to local communities in areas such as education, skills development, local job creation, and workforce equality.
The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected in early 2025, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.
This work in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and East Berkshire extends the infrastructure we’ve already been building in the area, including Slough, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Reading and High Wycombe.
In January 2024, CityFibre was awarded the £71million Project Gigabit contract to connect over 38,000 hard-to-reach premises across Leicestershire and Warwickshire, including Sheepy Magna and Claverdon.
In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.
We will also work with local organisations to bring value to local communities in areas such as education, skills development, local job creation, and workforce equality.
The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected in early 2025, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.
This work in Leicestershire and Warwickshire extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the area since 2018, including Coventry, Leicester and Rugby.
In January 2024, CityFibre was awarded the £100 million Project Gigabit contract to connect over 52,000 hard-to-reach premises across East and West Sussex, including Framfield and Fittleworth.
In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.
We will also work with local organisations to bring value to local communities in areas such as education, skills development, local job creation, and workforce equality.
The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected in early 2025, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.
This work in East and West Sussex extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the area since 2019, including Worthing, Chichester and Eastbourne.
In January 2024, CityFibre was awarded the £112 million Project Gigabit contract to connect over 50,000 hard-to-reach premises across Kent, including Bossingham and Lower Upnor.
In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.
We will also work with local organisations to bring value to local communities in areas such as education, skills development, local job creation, and workforce equality.
The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected in early 2025, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.
This work in Kent extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the unitary authority of Medway since 2020, including Chatham and Gillingham.
In January 2024, CityFibre was awarded the £51 million Project Gigabit contract to connect over 25,000 hard-to-reach premises across Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, including Great and Little Addington and Marston St Lawrence.
In parallel, CityFibre is significantly expanding its existing commercial network footprint in the region alongside Project Gigabit.
We will also work with local organisations to bring value to local communities in areas such as education, skills development, local job creation, and workforce equality.
The first Project Gigabit connections under this contract are expected in early 2025, with the overall project taking approximately five years to complete.
This work in Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes extends the infrastructure we’ve been building in the area since 2018, including Milton Keynes and Northampton.
Project Gigabit news #
All our related news and announcements in one place
Case study
ON LOCATION WITH OUR FEX HUNTERS
The challenges CityFibre and Up-Connect must tackle before any newly built, full fibre network can go live across the UK - including those for Project Gigabit.
13 February 2024
Corporate news
CityFibre wins five new Project Gigabit contracts unlocking an over 650,000 premises expansion of its national network
6 February 2024
Corporate news
CityFibre awards first contracts to build partners for delivery of its Project Gigabit rollouts
21 September 2023
Corporate news
Project Gigabit contract award unlocks 500,000 home expansion of CityFibre’s networks in Norfolk, Suffolk and Hampshire
1 July 2023
Corporate news
Project Gigabit contract award unlocks 215,000 home expansion of CityFibre’s networks across Cambridgeshire
21 March 2023
Comment
CityFibre responds to the launch of the Government's new £5bn ‘Project Gigabit’
19 March 2021
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