Cityfibre has secured the contract to roll-out a new “full fibre” (Dark Fibre) network to connect 170 public sector sites (e.g. schools, libraries and offices) across Wolverhampton. The deal is being supported by £4.9 million of public funding under the UK Gov’s Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN) scheme.
According to the related tender document, the total value of this 20 year contract is said to be as much as £28 million.
Cityfibre will design, build, operate and ultimately own the network, providing Wolverhampton with full fibre connectivity that will underpin the city’s next phase of technological transformation. It’s also anticipated that the project will benefit The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and support the delivery of IoT initiatives, such as urban traffic control.
Rob Hamlin, Chief Commercial Officer at CityFibre, said: “Increasingly local authorities around the country are realising the potential of full fibre to transform places like Wolverhampton into modern, fully connected, digital cities. By choosing a full fibre network, local authorities will be able future proof vital public sector infrastructure for generations to come.”
Councillor Louise Miles said: “Better connectivity in public buildings is essential to ensure residents are digitally included. Our libraries are committed to giving people access to new and emerging digital technology through the provision of computers, free WiFi and other digital technologies and developing digital skills.”
Construction of the new network is set to begin in March 2020 and we understand that most of the civil engineering work will be done by Connex 2000.
At a recent council meeting the local authority claimed that the benefits of full fibre broadband would be significant: “Over 15 years, full fibre broadband in Wolverhampton would lead to £27 million direct impact, £64 million business impact and £58 million of benefits to households” (Economic Impact of full fibre infrastructure Regeneris January 2018).
Trending Now
