CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform, is investing £30 million to transform Preston into a digitally connected community. The latest phase of construction has brought full fibre connectivity to homes in Frenchwood and Fishwick, offering residents access to lightning-fast broadband services from UK launch partner Vodafone, among others.
The ongoing rollout is expected to continue throughout 2023, with construction now underway in areas such as Ribbleton, Holme Slack, Deep Dale, Gallows Hill, and Grange. By 2024, when the city-wide project is completed, nearly every home and business in Preston will have the option to access full fibre services through various internet service providers.
Unlike traditional ‘fibre broadband’ services that rely on copper-based infrastructure, full fibre networks use 100% fibre optic technology, ensuring high-speed and reliable data transmission. Users can enjoy consistently fast upload and download speeds, up to 1,000 Mbps, along with virtually unlimited bandwidth, allowing for seamless work, study, streaming, and gaming experiences.
Julie Derbyshire, CityFibre’s Area Manager for Preston, highlighted the positive impact of full fibre broadband, emphasizing its role as a cornerstone of modern-day life. She also expressed gratitude to local residents and businesses for their patience during the construction phase.
Councillor Borrow, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulation at Preston City Council, welcomed the city’s ongoing digital infrastructure transformation, emphasizing that the improved connectivity would provide many residents with access to high-speed, full fibre broadband.
The construction for this project is being carried out by Network Plus on behalf of CityFibre. The team employs various construction methods and collaborates closely with Preston City Council and local communities to ensure a swift rollout while managing potential disruptions.
As each neighbourhood’s network installation is completed, CityFibre will designate the homes as ‘ready for service,’ enabling residents to connect to full fibre-enabled broadband services when they become available in their area.
