ITS Technology Win £3.5 Million Dark Fibre Contract for Carmarthenshire

The ITS Technology Group, which has built various open access full fibre broadband and Ethernet networks across parts of the UK, has today announced that they’ve secured a £3.5 million dark fibre network build contract for Carmarthenshire (Southwest Wales) as part of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme.

The new contract will see ITS deploying their Dark Fibre network to connect public sector sites across Carmarthenshire, which will be their first such project in South Wales. The public investment will serve 41 dark fibre connections across 34 strategic public sector sites in Carmarthenshire, connecting education, health and local authorities.

The project includes key partners Carmarthenshire County Council, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Hywel Dda University Health Board, and Coleg Sir Gar. The new network will also connect data centres to help store, move, and share large quantities of data securely at ultra-high speed.

In addition to securing the contract award, ITS will invest in a new wholesale full fibre network that mirrors the dark fibre route and extends beyond it to pass more than 2,800 businesses. This part of the project reflects private investment that will enable access to gigabit-capable services.

Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS, said:

“We are thrilled to have been successful in this tender process which will see us play a pivotal role in transforming the area’s digital landscape. As our first public sector contract in South Wales, this is a fantastic milestone for us and one that will provide the foundation for a connected future for the region, driving innovation and prosperity for the entire community.

ITS has a strong track record of working with the public sector to deliver connectivity solutions that benefit local businesses and communities, putting social value at the heart of each project. This type of innovation aligns perfectly with the Digital Infrastructure Programme’s objectives, providing a platform for economic growth and bridging the digital divide.”

Cllr Hazel Evans, Carmarthenshire County Council, said:

“Not only will this enhance the quality and reliability of services for communities across the county, but it will also act as a catalyst for further investment into digital infrastructure. This investment will foster innovation and economic growth, helping to ensure that Carmarthenshire is able to benefit from technological advancements.”

The full fibre network that ITS operates currently uses 10Gbps capable XGS-PON technology, although they have conducted tests of next generation 50G PON (here) – reaching speeds of 41.8Gbps downstream and 19.2Gbps upstream. The first commercial services over that new technology could be launched during early 2026 (here), although it’s unclear if this will be used for the above project or even how long the Carmarthenshire build will take to complete.