CityFibre has won five contracts for government subsidies as part of the Project Gigabit initiative. The total value of all the contracts is more than £394m. The Project Gigabit aims to make CityFibre extend full fibre infrastructure to over 202,000 properties with hard to reach access (rural properties). CityFibre will deliver gigabit-capable connectivity to communities across rural Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, Kent, Sussex, Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, and Warwickshire.
Reflecting Project Gigabit’s competitive public procurement approach, these deals further demonstrate CityFibre’s commitment to narrowing the digital divide by bringing ultra-fast broadband to areas historically left behind by commercial investment. By aligning strategically with Project Gigabit, CityFibre intends to strengthen its existing network footprint, extending its reach by almost 450,000 premises on a commercial basis, within its eight million premises roll-out programme.
Deployments will begin immediately, with the first premises to be made in early 2025 and detailed planning underway. CityFibre’s current total subsidy value awarded under Project Gigabit now stands at more than £782m for eight areas across England and Scotland, generating a combined public and private broadband investment of close to £1.2bn including match funding.
CityFibre’s CEO, Greg Mesch, expressed enthusiasm about the pivotal role his company plays in enhancing digital access for rural communities. Mesch highlighted CityFibre’s ongoing commitment to expanding its commercial rollout alongside Project Gigabit, promising infrastructure choice, multi-gigabit speeds, and unparalleled reliability to hundreds of thousands of additional premises in the awarded regions.
Minister Lopez claimed that Project Gigabit has been a success in rapidly spreading rural areas into modernity. The Minister highlighted the program roll outs’ affects on citizens as it relate to overall economic growth, employments opportunities, and accessing faster download speeds, Sandra Johnson adds: UK government has reengaged with its commitment to spread broadband.
