'Digital future' awaits Portsmouth as roll out of £32m fibre optic network begins

Fibre company City Fibre has announced the implementation of a new city-wide infrastructure that will provide 'reliable, high speed and high capacity' internet, capable of gigabit speeds - or 1,000 megabits per second.

Lucy Cooper, City Fibre’s city manager for Portsmouth, said: 'For people across Portsmouth, their digital future is just around the corner. Full fibre broadband will help households access all the latest entertainment at lightning speed, but the benefits are far deeper than that – from enabling smart home technology to giving people the freedom to work from home with ease.

'Next generation full fibre connectivity can drive innovation and productivity, ultimately giving businesses the platform they need to realise their growth ambitions.'

As previously reported construction work to lay the cables has already begun in Southsea area, causing some controversy as some residents claimed the work left no room to socially distance on paths.

However, City Fibre said they were ensuring 'all build sites adhere to health and safety standards and all staff and contractors follow social distancing guidelines.'

Councillor Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council's economic development boss, had hopes the infrastructure would benefit local businesses. He said: 'City Fibre's work is a huge boost to efforts in attracting new businesses to Portsmouth as well as supporting those already here to grow.

'The city has so much going for it as a business location and having the full fibre network makes it the ideal place for any company to prosper.'

SEE ALSO: Concerns over roadworks to lay fibre optic internet cables

Tory leader Cllr Donna Jones agreed. 'A high speed fibre optic network will be a game changer for Portsmouth particularly for businesses,' she said.

'It’s been a long time coming, but I’m pleased Portsmouth will one of the first cities in the UK to get it.'

The full fibre network is not yet live, but once activated, services will be available from an increasing range of broadband providers.

Residents can pre-register interest with City Fibre to receive information when services are available via cityfibre.com/residential.

Earlier this year City Fibre began the roll out of fibre broadband for schools and council buildings in Portsmouth at a cost of around £3.8m, which was met by a government grant.

The £32m cost of the city-wide roll out is being covered by City Fibre.

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