Switch-on gives our city once-in-a-generation boost to internet power
FULL-FIBRE NETWORK WILL OFFER QUICKER DOWNLOAD SPEEDS
AN award-winning internet supplier has cut the ribbon to begin offering thousands of Derby homes and businesses access to the city’s new full-fibre internet network, describing it as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to prosper”.
Gigabit Networks joined forces with Derby Mayor Councillor Robin Wood to officially launch its service at a ceremony, giving people across the city the opportunity to sign up to enjoy near-limitless bandwidth and greater download speeds of up to 930 Mbps.
Derby is the first city in the East Midlands and among the first in the UK to enjoy the benefits of full-fibre internet technology, which will enable subscribers to stream TV, take part in video conferencing or use cloud computing quicker and more reliably than at present.
The technology is being seen as a game-changer for the city because not only will the superfast speeds give its businesses a huge commercial advantage over competitors in others cities, but, as Cllr Wood pointed out, it also promises to boost Derby’s bid to become a City of Culture in 2025 and could be vital in helping the city win the race to become home to the new stateowned rail transport body Great British Railways.
Gigabit Networks, which is operating from an office in Uttoxeter Old Road, is working in partnership with CityFibre, which is installing the allimportant cabling that will create a full fibre internet network beneath Derby’s streets as part of an initial £45m private investment.
The network uses 100% underground fibre optic cables, which transmit data quicker and more reliably than the traditional copper wire network and have so far been laid outside 8,000 homes and businesses in parts of Mackworth, Allestree, Mickleover,
Abbey, Arboretum and Darley wards.
CityFibre is laying more cable every day, but since it is the installer and not an internet service provider itself, it does not connect individual properties to the network itself. Instead, it is working in partnership with companies like Gigabit Networks which, as a CityFibre City Champion across the Midlands, is able to offer consumers their superfast 930Mbps internet from £49 a month. This compares to Derby’s current average internet speed of just 65Mbps.
Dan Ilett, co-founder of Gigabit Networks, said: “Our recent experience of lockdown showed everybody how critical good connection speeds are and, with more and more data being shared and received across the internet each day, the need for a fast and reliable connection is only going to grow. “Derby is now able to handle that growth thanks to its new network, meaning that this is a once-ina-generation opportunity for the city to prosper while others are being left behind. This is why we’re incredibly excited about giving everybody in Derby the opportunity to get on board.”
David Yates, co-founder of Gigabit Networks, added: “Full fibre is only available to around 20 per cent of UK premises, which means that Derby is right at the very forefront of this technology and has a huge commercial advantage because of the internet speeds that are now at its companies’ fingertips.”
Speaking at the launch just before he announced the service had gone live on Thursday, Councillor Wood said: “I am proud to say that I am now one of the first people to be able to say that they are mayor of a Gigabit City.
“That is very important, because Derby’s future plans rely on connectivity, so you are giving us exactly what Derby needs at the right time.”
Gigabit Networks is also working closely with schools and social housing providers to ensure that no one is left out, whether they are students going online to complete their homework or unemployed people accessing employment or training opportunities.
Earlier this year Gigabit Networks was announced winners of the Internet Service Provider of the Year 2021 for the Midlands from EU Business News in recognition of its efforts to bring a range of full fibre products to customers in the region.
It will take until 2025 to install the entire digital infrastructure across Derby, offering full fibre broadband to virtually every home and business in the city.
Full fibre is only available to around 20 per cent of UK premises, which means that Derby is right at the very forefront of this technology. David Yates