CityFibre achieves Milestone: First Project Gigabit Customer Connected in Suffolk
CityFibre, the UK’s largest self-reliant full-fibre platform, has reached a significant milestone by connecting its first customer under the government’s Project Gigabit program in Suffolk. This achievement marks a crucial step forward in the national initiative to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to rural and hard-to-reach areas across the United Kingdom.
project Gigabit Implementation in Suffolk
The connection, established in the village of Kentford, represents the first of many planned installations under the £6.2 million contract awarded to CityFibre by Building Digital UK (BDUK). This pioneering project aims to connect approximately 6,500 rural properties across Suffolk to full-fibre broadband by 2025.
Technical Specifications and Infrastructure
The newly deployed network infrastructure delivers:
• Symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps
• Ultra-low latency connectivity
• Future-proof technology capable of handling increasing bandwidth demands
• Enhanced reliability compared to customary copper networks
Impact on Rural communities
This development brings several benefits to Suffolk’s rural communities:
• Improved access to digital services
• Enhanced remote working capabilities
• Better educational opportunities
• increased property values
• Stronger economic growth potential
Government and Industry Collaboration
The prosperous connection demonstrates the effective partnership between:
• CityFibre as the infrastructure provider
• Building Digital UK (BDUK)
• local authorities in Suffolk
• Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
Future Rollout Plans
CityFibre’s deployment strategy includes:
• Systematic coverage expansion across rural Suffolk
• Integration with existing urban networks
• Coordination with local councils for minimal disruption
• Regular community updates on construction progress
Technical Implementation Process
| phase | Activity |
|---|---|
| Planning | Survey and design of network routes |
| Construction | Fibre deployment and infrastructure installation |
| Connection | Final mile installation and service activation |
Project Gigabit’s broader Context
This connection represents a key milestone in the government’s £5 billion Project Gigabit programme, wich aims to ensure that 85% of UK premises can access gigabit-capable broadband by 2025. The project specifically targets areas where commercial deployment would be financially challenging without government support.
Community response and Engagement
Local residents and businesses have responded positively to the implementation, recognizing the transformative potential of gigabit-capable connectivity for rural communities. The successful connection in Kentford serves as a model for future deployments across Suffolk and other rural regions in the UK.
