Businesses in Slough and Maidenhead are the latest to benefit from the full-fibre extension across the Thames Valley.
Infrastructure provider, CityFibre, will soon begin work to transform the towns’ digital connectivity by providing an ultrafast, pure fibre alternative to the towns’ legacy copper-based networks.
CityFibre partner, Berkshire-based IT and telecoms specialist BtL Communications will work to connect businesses across the network, providing them with access to gigabit-speed internet services up to 100 times faster than the UK’s average speeds.
A full fibre connection will help them to boost their competitiveness, productivity and growth as business operations move increasingly online and the requirement for bandwidth increases.
The build will light up 38km of fibre network from Slough Trading Estate to the town centre, and a further 10km across Maidenhead. This significant investment is set to contribute to Thames Valley Berkshire LEP’s prediction that boosting ultrafast connectivity will generate an additional £1.2bn GVA for the region over the next five to seven years.
Nick Gray, City Development Manager at CityFibre commented: “Berkshire is known as an economic powerhouse, and Slough in particular – a renowned hub for blue-chip businesses and start-ups – has grown its reputation as one of the UK’s most tech-savvy towns in the region.
“From the latest Tech Nation Report we know that the digital technology industry contributes billions to the UK economy, creates high value jobs and attracts investment from all over the world. This presents excellent opportunities for Thames Valley communities. It is vitally important, therefore, that this growing region has the best connectivity possible to enable it to remain competitive on a global stage.
“We are excited to welcome Slough and Maidenhead on board as our newest Gigabit Cities in the region and look forward to seeing local businesses flourishing thanks to this transformational infrastructure.”
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