Businesses Urged To Register Interest In 1Gbps West Yorkshire FTTP Network

CityFibre is to build an FTTP network in the Kirkless region of West Yorkshire, connecting businesses in Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Batley to speeds of 1Gbps.

Work on the KirkleesCORE network will start later this year with the first business connected in March 2015. Like CityFibre’s other FTTP networks, construction will be determined by demand and businesses have been urged to register their interest.

To this end, the firm has launched a ‘demand aggregation’ that aims to encourage as many businesses in a particular location to sign up as areas with the most interest will be prioritised in the rollout.

CityFibre network

“Building a gigabit fibre network in Kirklees represents a step-change as significant as the shift from dial-up to broadband,” says Greg Mesch, CityFibre CEO. “No longer reliant on the antiquated copper networks, Kirklees businesses will have the capacity to position themselves at the heart of the UK economy as the technological revolution continues to gather pace.

“It’s crucial that as many businesses as possible can benefit and to ensure that, we urge you to register your interest.”

Local leaders say the gigabit speeds afforded by the network will be a major boost to the region.

“We are dedicated to making Kirklees one of the best places in the UK to do business,” says Councillor David Sheard, Leader of Kirklees Council. “We have unrivalled transport links, an extensive and highly skilled working population, and some fantastic places of education preparing the next generation.

“A crucial ingredient to our success is internet connectivity so we welcome CityFibre to Kirklees. The CORE offers our businesses an opportunity to evolve the way they operate. This technology will allow them to compete on national and international stages.”

CityFibre is building networks in Aberdeen, Coventry, Peterborough and York, the latter of which is forming the basis for a joint-venture between the company, Sky and TalkTalk in a bid to challenge BT’s fibre dominance.

It is possible the model could be expanded if it is a success, with CityFibre raising £30 million to build 20 FTTP networks across the UK. CityFibre is also providing fibre to local authorities over the government’s Public Services Network (PSN) after agreeing a deal with managed services provider EasyNet.

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