The UK’s troubled 5G roll out received a much-needed boost today, as mobile network operator Three announced it is to leverage CityFibre’s nationwide full fibre infrastructure to deliver the country’s “fastest 5G network”.
CityFibre, the UK’s third national digital infrastructure platform, has been named as Three’s “preferred provider” in a deal that will see the firm provide backhaul connectivity outside London for businesses and consumers.
Dave Dyson, CEO at Three UK said: “A competitive fibre backhaul market is critical for the fast and efficient rollout of 5G. CityFibre are aggressively rolling out fibre across Britain and our strategic partnership with them will use the UK’s largest 5G spectrum portfolio to deliver the fastest 5G network nationwide.”
Through its Building Gigabit Cities project, CityFibre has started to build full fibre networks across the UK with major projects already underway in 50 towns and cities.
5G connections will begin at Three’s cell sites across these locations; hundreds of which have already been earmarked for connection this year.
Three will also have access to CityFibre’s full product portfolio, including small cell access points throughout its city-wide networks, providing the local fibre capacity required to support 5G in densely populated urban areas.
CityFibre CEO Greg Mesch, said: “This is a huge vote of confidence in CityFibre from a national mobile operator with big plans for 5G. Three’s decision to leverage our rapidly expanding networks nationwide shows the critical role full fibre infrastructure has to underpin 5G rollouts, and reinforces CityFibre’s position as the UK’s third national digital infrastructure platform.
“Our networks have been designed to support both the technology and insatiable demand for data throughput required to power 5G networks and services. This deal will not only help accelerate 5G coverage throughout the UK, but also further accelerate our rollout of full fibre coverage nationwide,” Mensch added.
