ITS Wins Contract to Deploy Full Fibre Across Crawley’s Manor Royal Business Park UPDATE

ISPreview has discovered that the Crawley Borough Council (CBC) in West Sussex (England) has just awarded the ITS Technology Group with a contract for their new £1.5 million (state aid) project, which aims to provide every business in Manor Royal (business park) with the ability to connect to gigabit broadband.

The new network, which is being supported by funding from the previous Government’s £3.6bn Towns Fund programme (details), is expected to be built using a combination of new infrastructure, as well as reusing existing assets (e.g. ducts).

Whilst the provision of gigabit-capable connectivity to the Manor Royal business park is the “minimum requirement” for this project, elements of the funding may also be used for complimentary initiatives to further enhance the economic benefit. Such initiatives may potentially involve extending the network and deploying FTTP to other regions within Crawley, as well as possibly a resilient backhaul fibre route to connect the nearby business parks of Lowfield Heath and Three Bridges (this is still tentative).

In addition, there may also be indirect benefits to residents as the infrastructure could support additional FTTP broadband deployment within the town, which would bring further choice for consumers and enable Crawley to be a truly ‘digital’ town. But that may require additional private investment to realise.

Contract Description

Up to GBP1.5 million in funding has been secured through the UK Government’s Towns Fund initiative for this project, and will be allocated towards the deployment of fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) digital infrastructure throughout the Manor Royal business park, enabling access to gigabit-capable connectivity for 100% of premises in the park. As such, the Council is seeking to engage a partner to build, operate, maintain and commercialise this network.

The establishment of a commercial partnership, achieved through a combination of public and private investment, is central to maximising the project’s economic benefit, by increasing the capital that can be deployed and thereby expanding the potential FTTP coverage across Crawley.

Just for some context. The Manor Royal Business District is the biggest business park of the Gatwick Diamond area and one of the South East’s premier mixed activity employment hubs. Situated on the Sussex and Surrey county borders adjacent to London Gatwick Airport, it covers an area of 540 acres and is home to over 600 businesses generating 30,000 jobs.

UPDATE 2nd Sept 2025 @ 12:26pm

ITS Technology has now officially confirmed the award and revealed that, as part of the deal, they will build and operate a brand new 32km full fibre network across Crawley. The project, which will also receive additional private investment from ITS itself, plans to extend full fibre access to “over 1,500 businesses, including more than 700 within Manor Royal Business District“.

Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS, said:

“Crawley is a thriving hub of enterprise and innovation, and we’re proud to be the trusted partner delivering the next-generation digital infrastructure it needs to stay ahead. This full fibre rollout will provide future-proof connectivity for businesses of all sizes, driving sustainable growth and long-term competitiveness across the region.

But it’s not just about technology – it’s also about people. Our social value programme ensures that the benefits of this investment extend beyond business, empowering local communities and helping more people access the opportunities of an increasingly digital world.”

Michael Jones, Leader of Crawley Borough Council, said:

“This project is in direct response to what our business community told us they needed. It’s a great example of how public and private sector expertise and investment can come together to deliver real, lasting impact.

Crawley’s proximity to Gatwick Airport and its excellent transport links make it attractive to businesses locating to the area. The new network will help to ensure Crawley continues to attract both established industries and emerging sectors.”