Cambridgeshire Set for Broadband Revolution with £122 Million Upgrade
Tens of thousands of rural homes and businesses in Cambridgeshire are about to get a huge boost with lightning-fast broadband. A massive £122 million contract has been signed to roll out gigabit-capable full fibre connections as part of the government’s flagship Project Gigabit.
45,000 Premises to Get Super-Speedy Internet
- £69 million public funding plus £53 million private investment from CityFibre will transform broadband across hard-to-reach areas.
- Full fibre connections promise speeds 30 times faster than current superfast broadband – perfect for modern work, streaming, and gaming demands.
- Villages and hamlets around Ely, Newmarket, Royston, and Huntingdon will be first in line for the upgrade.
Project Gigabit: Britain’s Biggest Broadband Rollout
The £5 billion Project Gigabit is the largest broadband upgrade in UK history, targeting rural and tricky spots usually left behind. Gigabit-speed broadband means no more buffering or crashes – just smooth surfing and streaming.
Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez said:
“Thanks to our record-breaking roll out Project Gigabit, rural homes and businesses across Cambridgeshire can be confident they won’t be left behind in the upgrade to top-of-the-range gigabit broadband.”
She added:
“This landmark deal with CityFibre will help deliver the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy by ensuring the county’s pioneering science and tech industries can unleash their full potential with lightning-quick connectivity, whether in the city or the countryside.”
CityFibre Leads the Charge with Major Investment
CityFibre, the UK’s biggest independent full fibre provider, will build the new network, backed by a commercial investment of over £53 million alongside government funding. Their CEO Greg Mesch said:
“Rural communities and internet service providers are finally freed from creaking copper networks. We’re excited to partner with the government in Project Gigabit to deliver fast, reliable digital connectivity and boost competition for the benefit of all users.”
CityFibre has already invested more than £100 million in Cambridgeshire, completing rollouts in Peterborough and March, with work underway county-wide.
Local Jobs, Charity Support, and Digital Skills Boost
As part of its package, CityFibre will invest an extra £300,000 in local job creation and training – including internships for armed forces veterans, the disabled, and those hit by COVID-19. They’ll also provide free broadband to 50 local charities and help tackle digital exclusion with skills training and equipment.
Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Environment and Green Investment Committee, Cllr Lorna Dupré, said:
“Access to fast, reliable internet should no longer be a luxury. This initiative will hugely enhance our digital infrastructure and support economic growth, education, and innovation across the county.”
With the first new connections expected from early 2024, Cambridgeshire’s digital future is looking brighter — and a whole lot faster.
