When complete, over 35,000 homes and businesses will take advantage of the rollout, which enables access to a gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure and will contribute to making fibre more affordable in the areas.
The first properties to benefit from the rollout can now access synchronous broadband speeds of up to one Gigabit per second (Gbps), over 20 times faster than the national average in the UK.
As a wholesale-only provider, MS3 supplies the service to consumers through its partnerships with multiple internet service providers (ISPs) across the area.
Properties will be able to take advantage of a fibre to the premise (FTTP) broadband connection, offering faster internet speeds and other benefits compared to fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) connectivity. MS3 describes the pure fibre solution as ‘future proof’, capable of ten Gbps connectivity in the future.
The rollout also gives Scunthorpe residents more choice in broadband provider. Currently several areas across North East England experience what many industry experts refer to as a ‘broadband monopoly’ — one dominant provider in many areas for many years and a subsequent lack of competition. By connecting premises in these areas, MS3 hopes to break this.
“So far, much of MS3’s early XGS-PON fibre build, which aims to cover 500,000 UK premises within the next four years, has focused on parts of Hull,” said Guy Miller, CEO of MS3 Networks.
“We understand the impact a full fibre network can bring to the local economy, supporting residents professionally, socially and with their education. It’s about more than just delivering an ultrafast internet connection — it’s about giving choice to local communities and equipping them with a tool that impacts almost every area of their lives.”
Miller added that MS3 is working closely with residents to inform them of work they’re carrying out and the benefits of the rollout, and that the team will remain on hand to answer any questions as work continues.