LCR Connect Celebrates 1,000th Connection to Liverpool UK Full Fibre Network
The LCR Connect network, which is a £32 million joint venture that has rolled out a new 350km long multi-gigabit speed full-fibre (broadband and Ethernet) network for businesses across much of the Liverpool City Region, has today celebrated making their 1,000th connection after going live last year.
Launched to tackle poor connectivity and power inclusive growth, LCR Connect now provides gigabit-capable services to organisations of every size – some examples include Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, SciTech Daresbury, the Cavern Club, Pret A Manger, National Museums Liverpool, the M&S Bank Arena, Baltic Creative and DoubleTree by Hilton etc.
The network itself, which is 50% owned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA), currently covers more than 32,000 local businesses and organisations in the region. But unlike national operators, profits from LCR Connect will be reinvested into the local economy, keeping value in the region’s “local wallet”.
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Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“The Liverpool City Region is forward-thinking, dynamic, and ahead of the curve when it comes to critical infrastructure. LCR Connect is not just about faster internet speeds – it’s about creating the foundations for businesses and communities to thrive in a digital world.
“Reaching 1,000 connections is proof that this network is delivering real results and real impact for our economy. This is digital connectivity that goes beyond broadband connection. I’d encourage any local businesses or organisations who aren’t already signed up to seriously look into all the benefits.”
Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS Technology Group, LCR Connect’s delivery partner, said:
“Reaching this milestone is a great achievement and shows that businesses large and small are choosing LCR Connect because it gives them the speed, resilience, and reliability they need to compete. From legal firms and creative agencies to stadiums and museums, we’re seeing the benefits ripple right across the region. Resilient fibre plays an essential role in the very fabric of modern business, underpinning the services, systems, and experiences that organisations rely on every day.”
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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It’s far too early for rejoicing. Do LCR seriously think they are about to make an indentation in the market place where others have failed. Optical fibre has been about since the early 1970’s,that’s over 50 years ago. Any development with regard to the network will require a great deal of capital investment, which they don’t have, if they did have it, it would be reflected in the cost to the potential customer.
The company appears to be making a substantial loss. The registered company name is Liverpool City Region Digital Limited
£30m to secure 1000 customers after 5 years is shocking network economics and looking at the accounts, continuing to pay loads of fees to ITS to operate a white elephant. Even the case studies are exaggerated. Yes, the network connects Everton’s stadium, but only a very tertiary link behind the VMO2 main stays.