Tibus Seeks to Build Ultrafast 10Gbps Fibre Optic Network in Belfast

Businesses in the city of Belfast (Northern Ireland) could soon benefit after Tibus (The Internet Business Ltd) revealed that it was planning to make use of the UK Government’s “Super-Connected Cities” Connection Voucher Scheme in order to roll-out a new fibre optic network in the area.

The Connection Voucher scheme offers grants worth between £200 – £3,000 +vat to individual businesses (i.e. any SME of up to 249 employees with a turnover no greater than £40 million per annum) across 22 of the UK’s cities, which is designed to help related firms get connected to a superfast broadband connection of 30Mbps or faster.

However several vouchers can also be aggregated in order to deliver a general infrastructure improvement and it appears as though Tibus intends to leverage this approach in order to deploy its own network into specific areas of central Belfast, before later expanding into the rest of the city and suburbs.

The plan was revealed as part of a formal proposal by Ofcom to grant Code Powers to Tibus, which would make it easier for them to conduct street works (dig up pavements, roads etc.). “[Tibus] believes that, without the delivery of its proposed level of connectivity and managed services, several tenants will leave the Cathedral Quarter area of Belfast, resulting in the loss of employment and a halt to future inward investment in the area,” said Ofcom’s consultation.

The consultation will remain open until 23rd June and is unlikely to be opposed.