A £15m digital transformation project has been completed in a coastal town.
It means almost 30,000 homes in Lowestoft and the surrounding area now has access to the UK’s full fibre network.
With Lowestoft being one of 10 towns in Suffolk to benefit from a project installing ultrafast Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) broadband to all public sector premises, work started in January 2020.
Back then the Gigabit broadband specialists CityFibre Metro Networks Ltd started work to deliver a "transformational project that replaces ageing copper-based networks with gigabit-capable full fibre connectivity."
But after Lite Access Technologies UK had been appointed as network construction partner by CityFibre, work was suspended in November 2020 amid the coronavirus crisis - however, contracts ended with the Canadian-based company in December that year as CityFibre confirmed that they were looking for alternative network construction partners.
Subsequently, FRP Advisory Trading Limited were appointed as administrators of Lite Access Technologies UK in February 2021, and CityFibre appointed new contractors - Pod-Trak Ltd - to resume the project.
Back then, they said works were due to be completed by June 2022.
But CityFibre has announced that they’ve now completed the "primary-build" of its full fibre network in Lowestoft - after the roll-out was extended.
It means the new 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based broadband ISP network is now "ready for service to nearly 30,000 homes and most businesses, key public sector and community sites in the town, and surrounding areas," according to a CityFibre spokesman.
With the original build plan "expanded" during the rollout, it means areas of Carlton Colville, Normanston and Gunton have now been included.
The spokesman added: "While the primary-build is now completed, CityFibre will continue to explore opportunities to reach more sites including new build properties, multi-dwelling units, homes on private or unadopted roads and business parks."
People in Lowestoft can now enjoy affordable, gigabit-capable, and reliable full fibre broadband from a range of internet service providers (ISPs) including Vodafone, TalkTalk, IDNet, Zen and Giganet.
The spokesman added: "Almost all homes passed by the network can schedule a full fibre installation within five working days of placing an order."
'A significant boost'
Neil Madle, partnership manager at CityFibre, said: "I’m delighted that Lowestoft can benefit from better broadband now that the primary-build of our full fibre network has been completed.
"Equipped with fast and reliable full fibre infrastructure between the town’s streets, residents can now enjoy seamless streaming, even when using multiple devices at once, with ample productivity and innovation benefits for the local economy."
Waveney MP Peter Aldous said: "CityFibre’s announcement is most welcome and provides a significant boost to the Lowestoft economy, making us one of the best-connected places in the country.
"In this digital age, a strong internet connection is vital, both domestically and also commercially providing the high quality infrastructure that is necessary to attract new business to the area."
People interested in upgrading their home’s digital connection to full fibre can find out more online at www.cityfibre.com/PR
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