South Tyneside is set to undergo a significant digital transformation as CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform, commences construction on a £42 million investment to provide fast, reliable, and future-proof full fibre network connectivity to the area. The project, aimed at serving the data needs of residents and businesses for decades to come, is now underway in the Laygate area of South Tyneside.
Local firm GCU UK Ltd will undertake the rollout in close collaboration with CityFibre and South Tyneside Council. The goal is to minimize disruption, and strategic planning has already led to combining path reinstatement and fibre installation works in certain areas, reducing the need for separate interventions.
The project’s anticipated completion date is 2025, but the first services are expected to go live sooner, offering residents and businesses the benefits of lightning-fast and reliable broadband.
Full fibre networks, using 100% fibre optics, enable data transmission at lightning speed from the home to the point of connection, providing users with speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps for both upload and download, limitless bandwidth, and dependable connectivity.
Beyond the immediate advantages of speedy access to digital content, full fibre networks are expected to drive various economic benefits, such as increased productivity and innovation. Councillor Joanne Bell, Lead Member for Governance, Finance, and Corporate Services at South Tyneside Council, emphasizes the importance of such connectivity in today’s digital age, where it supports everything from work and education to leisure.
Once operational, the network will offer a choice of providers, including Vodafone, TalkTalk, Zen, Giganet, and IDNet, with more expected to join in the near future. The ambitious project aims to make South Tyneside a leader in digital connectivity, ensuring its residents and businesses have the digital infrastructure needed for a prosperous future.
