As the construction of Worcester’s full fibre network progresses, CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform, hosted a tour for Robin Walker MP, providing an in-depth look at the ongoing £21 million city-wide project in Cathedral Ward.
During the visit, CityFibre representatives, in collaboration with build partner Kier, introduced Mr. Walker to the concept of full fibre digital infrastructure, widely considered the pinnacle of network technology. Demonstrations of the typical construction process, including excavation and reinstatement, were also provided.
Unlike most of today’s household digital infrastructure, full fibre networks utilize 100% fibre optics to transmit data at high speeds from users’ homes to the point of connection. This technology offers consistently faster upload and download speeds (up to 1,000 Mbps), nearly limitless bandwidth, and dependable connectivity.
However, the advantages of a full fibre connection extend beyond providing high-speed entertainment access. Regarded as an essential digital utility, full fibre enhances the productivity and innovation potential of both households and businesses, driving various economic benefits.
Neal Wright, Area Manager at CityFibre, expressed the company’s ambition to strengthen UK towns and cities by providing state-of-the-art networks that future-proof their digital foundations. According to recent research by Hatch, CityFibre’s full fibre network in Worcester alone is expected to unlock £131 million in productivity and innovation, along with a £83 million increase in house value.
Robin Walker MP commented on the progress of CityFibre’s £21 million project, emphasizing the investment made by CityFibre and expressing anticipation for the development of the next stages of the rollout and the broader benefits it will bring to the local economy.
Kier is responsible for the construction of the network on behalf of CityFibre. The team employs various construction methods while working closely with Worcester City Council and local communities to ensure a rapid rollout while minimizing potential disruptions.
As each neighborhood’s network construction is completed, CityFibre will designate the homes as “ready for service,” enabling residents to connect to full fibre-enabled broadband services as they become available in their area.
In Worcester, full fibre services are currently available from Vodafone, TalkTalk, Giganet, and Zen. Throughout the UK, CityFibre collaborates with launch partner Vodafone, along with TalkTalk, Giganet, Zen, and others expected to join the network soon, to provide next-generation broadband services.
