WightFibre Appoint NetworkPlus to Support Isle of Wight FTTH

Broadband ISP WightFibre, which is currently busy rolling out a new 1Gbps Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network across the Isle of Wight (South Coast of Hampshire, UK), have just appointed NetworkPlus to be their new Construction Manager.

NetworkPlus is currently focussing on 13,000 properties in the Ryde, Bembridge, Brading and Seaview areas, who will see the benefits of FTTH by July 2021. At present the WF is investing around £85m (£35m from Infracapital and £50m from NatWest Bank) to ensure that their “full fibre” network covers 80% of the island by the end of 2022 (c.53,000 homes), which could then reach 96% by the end of 2025 (c.71,000 homes and businesses).

At the last update in June 2020 we were informed that the operator had already completed their build to around 20,000 premises (28% of the island) and the work was on-going.

John Irvine, WightFibre CEO, said:

“The WightFibre Gigabit Island project is a major undertaking which requires some very specialist knowledge – knowledge of the latest civil engineering cable laying technology and of current fibre-optic networking technologies – essential in order to truly future proof our network.”

Stuart Fraser, Network Plus joint CEO, added:

“This is a great opportunity to support WightFibre, bringing our skills in supply chain management, programme planning and communications approach. We will ensure really close liaison with stakeholders and the local community on the Isle of Wight, to keep them informed at each step of the way.”

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