Glasgow to gain from gigabit broadband roll-out

Fibre optic network specialist CityFibre today unveiled plans to bring superfast broadband to Glasgow.
Glasgow is to become CityFibre's third 'gigabit city' in ScotlandGlasgow is to become CityFibre's third 'gigabit city' in Scotland
Glasgow is to become CityFibre's third 'gigabit city' in Scotland

The Aim-quoted firm, which has teamed up with Edinburgh-based telecoms firm Commsworld to deliver similar “gigabit city” schemes in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, has signed a ten-year deal with Inverness communications business HighNet, which will migrate 100 of its existing customers to the new fibre network to be built by CityFibre in central Glasgow.

CityFibre said the move, which carries a total contract value of £3 million, marked the first phase of what is expected to be a “significant network deployment programme” in Glasgow, offering broadband speeds up to 100 times faster than the UK average.

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Up to 7,000 businesses in the city centre will be within “close reach” of the fibre network, CityFibre said, adding that the roll-out will begin early next year. As many as 15,000 firms across Glasgow will stand to benefit once the full city-wide project is completed.

HighNet has also committed to migrate at least 50 customers to the CityFibre network currently under construction in Aberdeen, and the firm’s managing director, David Siegel, said: “This fantastic collaboration marks a step change in HighNet’s evolution as a business-to-business internet service provider and we are looking forward to providing Glasgow’s business sector with best-in-class connectivity upon which they can develop and grow their business.

“Access to high quality, high capacity internet capability can be truly transformational and we are delighted to be leading the charge in Glasgow. CityFibre’s track record in creating Gigabit cities is unparalleled and we are excited at the opportunities this partnership will create.”

Greg Mesch, chief executive of CityFibre, added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with HighNet to launch Scotland’s newest gigabit city. HighNet have made this project possible and their strong customer base and impressive partner network will be crucial to its success.

“This announcement marks our third gigabit city project in Scotland, and upon its completion, CityFibre will have an established network presence in Scotland’s four largest cities, making us the largest wholesale fibre infrastructure provider in the country after BT Openreach.”