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Airband wins £4.5 million contract to roll out full-fibre broadband in Cheshire

Airband has been selected by Cheshire Council to roll out full-fibre broadband connectivity to over 4,000 properties across rural or hard-to-reach areas of Cheshire. The project will start in early 2021 and is expected to last until March 2023.

The company said that bringing cost-effective, high-quality, reliable ultrafast connectivity to the area will provide better access to services and amenities for individuals, increased productivity and more growth opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

Redmond Peel, founder and director of Airband, said, “We are excited to have won this contract. Our focus has always been on expanding and simplifying digital access for rural communities. With access to high-quality broadband fast becoming a human right, we can’t wait to get started building the network that will give residents of rural and hard-to-reach areas of Cheshire the connectivity they deserve.”

Councillor Nick Mannion, Cheshire East Council’s cabinet member for environment and regeneration, added, “The fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) deal with Airband comes at a key time during the pandemic, to provide optimum connectivity to homeworkers and businesses across Cheshire East. Swifter internet services will help limit many of the frustrations people are facing now, juggling home and work life. It is crucial that everyone has sufficient internet at all hours to suit diverse working patterns and household needs.”

The project is funded by the UK government’s Connecting Cheshire initiative, which includes Warrington Borough Council, Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester and Halton Borough Council.