CityFibre has connected the first Project Gigabit customers in its Hampshire rollout.
The rollout was backed with £104 million in funding from government’s Project Gigabit, which will enable CityFibre to connect more than 75,000 homes and businesses across the area.
CityFibre is also contributing its own investment to deliver the project and bring gigabit capable broadband to more people.
Project Gigabit is the government-funded programme enabling harder-to-reach communities to access fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband, reaching parts of the UK that might otherwise miss out on upgrades.
CityFibre will roll out its network to more than 1.3 million homes and businesses over the next five years through Project Gigabit, which forms part of the company’s commitment to reach more than 8 million premises nationwide.
Telecoms Minister Chris Bryant, said, “Communities across remote parts of Hampshire will soon see the back of connectivity drop-outs and constant buffering with this installation of lightning-fast broadband.
“We recently launched our Digital Inclusion Action Plan, setting out our next steps to shrink the digital gap. Today’s news is a fantastic example of how a Government-backed contract will help ensure people in rural areas are not left behind and have the tools they need to work and thrive in the digital age.”
Simon Holden, group chief operations officer at CityFibre, said, “Reliable, high-speed broadband is more than just a convenience, it’s a necessity for work, education and everyday life. Thanks to this investment from Project Gigabit, Hampshire is set to reap the benefits of full fibre and unlock better opportunities for residents and businesses. CityFibre is proud to provide this essential infrastructure to drive digital progress and support the local community’s future.”