Hyperoptic Brings 1Gbps FTTB Broadband to First Buildings in Leeds UK

Ultrafast fibre optic ISP Hyperoptic has announced that residents of The Basilica, a development (apartment block) in the city centre, have become the first of many buildings in the city of Leeds (West Yorkshire, England) to benefit from their new symmetric 1000Mbps capable Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) broadband network.

Apparently similar installations are also underway at other developments in the city, such as the Twenty Twenty building or Skyline, Waterside and Bridgewater Place by Eddisons properties. Many more are also said to have been agreed, albeit not yet announced. Hyperoptic currently focuses on bringing its service to developments with 50 or more units.

Tim Huxtable, National Property Manager for Hyperoptic, said:

“Leeds is a strategic priority for Hyperoptic – we are committed to invest millions over the next five years in telecoms infrastructure, so that residents can have access to world-class connectivity. Leeds has been left in the slow lane for too long, with citywide broadband not-spots and an average broadband speed of 18.3Mbps – which can barely cope with today’s broadband demands of streaming, sharing and HD content, let alone tomorrow’s.”

In fairness 18.3Mbps isn’t a bad speed for current requirements and many people in rural areas, which often struggle to attain averages of around 2-4Mbps.. let alone 18Mbps, may look at that comment and roll their eyes. On the other hand it’s certainly true that Leeds does have a few not-spots and plenty of slow-spots, where no doubt Hyperoptic will prove to be very attractive.

Ross Denton, Resident of The Basilica, said:

“I have been overwhelmed by the experience and affordability of fibre broadband from Hyperoptic. In the past I was frustrated by the ‘up to’ claims of other broadband providers; as a musician and avid gamer, the slowdowns were incessant and exasperating, and my flat-mates didn’t get a look-in.

With Hyperoptic, I can get a clean connection for the same price, which is at least five times faster, despite the speeds being advertised as the same – or for a little extra, I can get a Gig. It’s transformed my life; plus my flat-mates and my gaming scores have never been higher!”

So far Hyperoptic’s service has been deployed to over 100,000 premises across the cities of UK cities of London, Cardiff, Bristol, Reading, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle and Nottingham. The aim is to reach 500,000 homes and businesses by 2018.

Packages typically range in speed from 20Mbps (£12.50 per month with phone line rental of £12.50) and go all the way up to 1000Mbps (from £50 per month). Standalone prices without the phone service are also available, although they’re only a few pounds cheaper.