CityFibre Seeks Support for New Ultrafast Fibre Optic Network in Edinburgh

Fibre optic infrastructure developer CityFibre has launched its “Gig Up Edinburgh” campaign, which encourages local businesses and institutions in Scotland’s capital city to register their interest in the installation of a new “ultra-fast” pure fibre optic broadband network.

Under the plan Phase One of the network, which will focus on a 50km long stretch of Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) style infrastructure in the city centre, is currently getting underway and hopes to reach the first businesses later this summer.

Once complete the network will be within reach of approximately 7,000 businesses, via local ISP Commsworld, and it will have expanded to be 150km in overall length. But the exact route that the new infrastructure takes is very much dependent upon demand from local firms, hence the new pre-registration scheme.

James McClafferty, CityFibre’s Development Manager, said:

“Edinburgh is one of the most economically significant cities in the UK. Its reputation as an established financial hub is complemented as it is increasingly becoming the location of choice for a new generation of tech start-ups and innovative businesses.

As businesses of all types become more digitally reliant, they can be confident that there will be a world-class digital network – the Edinburgh CORE – to support them. As we plan the rollout it is essential that businesses register on our website to ensure that the network reaches them and that it delivers maximum benefit to the city’s business community.”

It’s worth pointing out that all businesses who register will also be evaluated for the Connection Voucher (“Super-Connected Cities“) scheme, which offers vouchers worth up to £3,000 to help SMEs get a superfast broadband connection installed. A nearly identical network is also being built in the city of Aberdeen (Aberdeen Core).