The partnership will be focussed at accelerating the roll-out of next-generation ultrafast internet access. CityFibre’s 1,100km of long-distance network metro fibre network in over 37 towns and cities outside of London will be utilised to provide a backhaul option for future Gigaclear deployments while its metro networks and PoP facilities will enable connectivity to nearby rural areas.
CityFibre’s network presently covers 260,000 businesses and 3.7 million homes while 15,000 premises have access to Gigaclear’s services, with 10,000 more in construction.
“Bringing brilliant broadband to rural Britain has its challenges,” said Matthew Hare, CEO of Gigaclear. “This partnership with CityFibre gives Gigaclear access to more capacity, faster delivery and more flexible bandwidth across the country.
“It helps us build Gigabit networks where other operators do not reach, to meet the demand for better broadband from homes and businesses.”
Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, said: “We have long been aware of the huge levels of demand for better internet connectivity in rural areas surrounding our urban network projects.
“It is a national embarrassment that residents and businesses in rural areas, and indeed many of those in towns and cities, have been left in the digital dark ages.”
