CityFibre Expands Full Fibre Rollout in Rural Cambridgeshire

CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform, is ramping up its £5 billion investment programme with a new rollout in rural Cambridgeshire. The latest deployment will connect approximately 3,300 homes in the villages of Papworth Everard, Cambourne, and Caxton to gigabit-speed broadband.

Bringing Gigabit Speeds to Underserved Areas

The rollout is part of CityFibre’s ambitious plan to bring full fibre infrastructure to up to 8 million premises across the country by 2025. The company has already made significant progress in urban areas and is now turning its attention to rural communities that have been left behind by the digital divide.

"We’re thrilled to be expanding our network into these villages," said James Cushing, CityFibre’s City Manager for Cambridgeshire. "Residents and businesses in rural areas deserve the same access to high-speed broadband as those in cities, and we’re committed to making that a reality."

Residents Eagerly Await Faster Connections

For many residents of Papworth Everard, Cambourne, and Caxton, the arrival of full fibre broadband can’t come soon enough. "I work from home and rely on a stable internet connection," said Sarah Thompson, a graphic designer living in Cambourne. "The speeds we get now are barely enough to handle video calls, let alone large file transfers. I’m really looking forward to the upgrade."

Others see the rollout as a game-changer for the local economy. "Faster broadband will make our village a more attractive place to live and work," said John Davies, a small business owner in Papworth Everard. "It could bring in new companies and create jobs, which would be a huge boost for the community."

Construction Set to Begin in Coming Weeks

CityFibre has appointed Lite Access Technologies to carry out the construction work, which is expected to begin in the coming weeks. The company will use modern build techniques to minimize disruption and aims to complete the rollout by the end of 2023.

"We’ll be working closely with local authorities and residents to ensure a smooth deployment," said Cushing. "Our goal is to bring the benefits of full fibre to these communities as quickly and efficiently as possible."

Pricing and Availability

Once the network is live, internet service providers (ISPs) will offer a range of broadband packages to residents and businesses. Prices for gigabit-speed services typically start at around £25 per month, with some providers offering discounts for longer contracts.

"We’re already in talks with several ISPs who are eager to bring their services to these villages," said Cushing. "Residents can expect a wide choice of affordable, high-speed broadband packages once the rollout is complete."

A Bright Future for Rural Connectivity

CityFibre’s expansion into rural Cambridgeshire is a promising sign for communities across the UK that have been left behind by the digital revolution. As more and more people work, learn, and socialize online, access to fast, reliable broadband has become a necessity rather than a luxury.

With investments like these, the future looks bright for rural connectivity. As CityFibre and other providers continue to expand their networks, the digital divide between urban and rural areas may finally start to close, bringing new opportunities and a better quality of life to communities across the country.