Aberdeen has been named as the next location to benefit from the fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) programme being carried out in partnership with Vodafone UK, with nearly all homes and businesses in the Scottish city to gain access to Gigabit-capable full-fibre broadband. In a press release regarding the matter CityFibre said it will start construction of the new FTTP network in July this year, using ‘modern build techniques’ to deploy the infrastructure quickly across the city, while minimising disruption. Customers are already able to pre-register for the full fibre service – which will be offered via Vodafone UK – with the first live services expected by early 2019.
According to CityFibre, Aberdeen has been chosen as the first FTTP city in Scotland because of ‘the city’s emergent tech sector, the council’s forward-looking commitment to ‘smart city’ initiatives, and the strength of its support for the project.’ Further, it has been claimed the fibre rollout will also help the Scottish government achieve its ‘Reaching 100%’ ambition of making Scotland one of the best connected places in Europe, unlocking its full potential in a digital world. CityFibre will invest at least GBP40 million (USD56 million) of private funds in the city-wide rollout.
Commenting on the rollout plans, Vodafone UK CEO Nick Jeffery said: ‘Our Gigabit broadband services, delivered over CityFibre’s new full fibre networks, will help Aberdeen build on its credentials in innovation and as one of the best places to start a business.’ Greg Mesch, CityFibre’s chief executive, added: ‘Our commitment to Aberdeen is further evidence of the action CityFibre is taking to deliver Britain’s full fibre future. Our existing network in Aberdeen provides us with an eighteen-month head-start on a full fibre rollout to nearly every home and business in the city. With similar FTTP backbone networks already built in over 40 UK towns and cities, our contribution to national full fibre coverage is well underway.’
As previously reported by CommsUpdate, last month it was announced that Milton Keynes would be the first location covered under the CityFibre/Vodafone partnership. This followed the pair announcing a long-term strategic partnership in November 2017 under which Vodafone will have a period of exclusivity – ‘predominantly during the build phase of each city network’ – to market ultra-fast consumer broadband services on the FTTP network which is being built, operated and owned by CityFibre.