Freedom Fibre Accelerates Project Gigabit Rollout in Shropshire with £6.5M Investment
Freedom Fibre has announced significant progress in its Project Gigabit broadband deployment across Shropshire, marking a major milestone in rural connectivity enhancement. The initiative, backed by a £6.5 million investment, aims to transform digital infrastructure across the region’s harder-to-reach communities.
Project Overview and Coverage Areas
The ambitious broadband rollout program is currently focusing on key Shropshire locations including:
• Market Drayton
• Whitchurch
• Prees
• Wem
• Surrounding rural communities
Technical Specifications and Infrastructure
The network deployment features:
• Full-fibre FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premises) technology
• Symmetrical gigabit-capable speeds up to 1Gbps
• Future-proof infrastructure design
• Underground fibre optic cabling
| Coverage Area | Expected Premises Passed | Completion Timeline |
| Market Drayton | 12,000 | Q2 2024 |
| Whitchurch | 8,500 | Q3 2024 |
Project Implementation Progress
Freedom Fibre has reported:
• Successfully completed initial surveying phases
• Commenced physical infrastructure deployment
• Established local contractor partnerships
• Created new employment opportunities in the region
Government Support and Funding
The project receives backing through:
• Building Digital UK (BDUK) initiative
• Local authority collaboration
• Private sector investment
• Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme
Community Impact and Benefits
The rollout is expected to deliver:
• Enhanced remote working capabilities
• Improved educational resources access
• Stronger business connectivity
• Reduced digital isolation in rural areas
Technical Implementation Timeline
Current project milestones include:
• Initial planning and surveys completed
• Core infrastructure deployment underway
• Customer connections beginning in early 2024
• Full project completion targeted for late 2024
Service Provider Partnerships
Freedom Fibre is working with:
• Local internet service providers
• Infrastructure contractors
• Council planning departments
• Community stakeholders
This comprehensive gigabit broadband deployment represents a significant step forward in Shropshire’s digital infrastructure development, with Freedom Fibre demonstrating strong progress in meeting Project Gigabit objectives for rural connectivity enhancement.
