The full-fibre networks will be made available to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and resellers on a wholesale basis, enabling CityFibre’s partners to market a new generation of affordable, ultra-fast internet services.
The announcement marks a major new phase in the growing competition that CityFibre is providing to BT Openreach across the UK. CityFibre's aim is to expand to 100 cities by 2025, which would equate to fibre access for 60% of the UK’s businesses and 40% of the UK’s homes outside of London. The roll-outs will also serve as a full-fibre backbone to support the economic development of key development areas such as the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine.
Greg Mesch, Chief Executive of CityFibre, commented: “After decades of underinvestment, Openreach’s antiquated network infrastructure is strangling our nation’s businesses. It is up to CityFibre to provide them with a viable and fit for purpose alternative, delivering a new generation of connectivity for our SMEs, the lifeblood of the UK economy.
“Access to full-fibre connectivity is the only long term solution, and this is currently either unavailable or so cost-prohibitive that it has remained out of reach for most. By extending our Fibre to the Premises roll-out to business parks across our national network, we are bringing affordable, world-class connectivity to the doorsteps of thousands of businesses for the first time. This is preparing our cities for an inevitable future upgrade to Fibre to the Home.”
Minister of State for Digital and Culture Matt Hancock said: "In last week's Autumn Statement we committed to investing another £1billion in the UK's digital infrastructure and to support the delivery of full-fibre broadband.
"Fibre is the future, so today's announcement by CityFibre is another boost to help achieve our ambitious goals. It will give small businesses across the country access to fast and reliable broadband and encourage other emerging providers to scale up so we remain a world-leading economy."