New ultra-fast full-fibre broadband for rural parts of Gloucestershire

Homes and businesses in some of the most remote areas of Gloucestershire are on the brink of experiencing a remarkable surge in broadband connectivity says Gloucestershire County Council, as it unveils new plans.

This groundbreaking initiative, made possible by the government's £5 billion investment, is part of a nationwide initiative dedicated to providing high-speed gigabit-capable broadband to 85 per cent of the UK population by 2025, with a further goal of reaching 99 per cent by 2030.

Editor's note: Yes, well - I've heard this all before. I live on the edge of a Gloucestershire village - we have three pubs, a small Tescos, petrol station and post office all in walking distance, and I can see a very large BT box on the corner 100 yards away from my house. My broadband provider says I have Superfast service, but I beg to differ..... All these announcements feel like someone dangling the most delicious delicacy tantalisingly just out of reach....

Project Gigabit's Gloucestershire procurement phase has invited broadband companies to compete for a share of £35 million in funding. The objective is to deliver ultra-fast broadband to premises grappling with sluggish speeds. The initiative aims to revamp connectivity for an estimated 8,118 properties presently linked via outdated copper wires, which stretch across the Forest of Dean, Tewkesbury, and East Gloucestershire regions. These antiquated connections will be replaced with lightning-fast and dependable alternatives and enhance the overall digital experience for these areas.

Anticipated between January and March 2024, the award announcements will reveal the chosen providers responsible for delivering full-fibre broadband to Gloucestershire communities. Subsequently, building the state-of-the-art network is expected to commence promptly, driving a substantial transformation of the broadband infrastructure across the region.

This new scheme builds upon the significant progress achieved by Fastershire Broadband Project, a successful collaboration between Gloucestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council. Since 2011, Fastershire has invested over £30 million into building digital infrastructure, resulting in remarkable coverage accomplishments. 

Thanks to the Fastershire partnership, presently, 97.4 per cent of premises enjoy access to superfast speeds exceeding 30Mbps, with 68.8 per cent of properties relishing gigabit access. 

The exponential growth in connection speeds since 2011 has catalysed transformative change in the lives of Gloucestershire communities. Seamless remote work for employees, uninterrupted online learning for students, indulgence in streaming 4K content for families, and effortless connections through platforms like FaceTime and video services for loved ones have become the norm.

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Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, underscored the pivotal role of fast and dependable broadband across households, businesses, and essential public services. He emphasised: “Gloucestershire County Council's substantial investment has paved the way for upgrading numerous homes, businesses, educational institutions, libraries, and healthcare facilities throughout the county. These enhancements ensure that all our communities have forward-looking broadband solutions.”

In parallel with the Project Gigabit procurements, Gloucestershire County Council continues to work with network providers. This concerted effort is geared towards enabling communities to fully harness the economic, educational, well-being, and leisure opportunities that become accessible with high-speed broadband connectivity.