£ 32m deal to bring full fibre network to town

A YORKSHIRE town is celebrating work beginning on a £ 32m deal to improve internet coverage.

Barnsley is to get a full fibre network which will reach almost every home and business in the town.

As part of its £ 32m private investment from CityFibre, Barnsley will benefit from the townwide full fibre network roll- out with construction under way in the Redbrook area of the town.

According to research from economic consultancy Regeneris, full fibre connectivity will have a major impact in Barnsley over the next 15 years. It shows that up to £ 21m could be added to the value of homes, while Smart City initiatives could add as much as £ 35m.

Access to full fibre could also unlock £ 22m in business productivity and innovation, while a further £ 14m in growth could be driven from new business startups, with enhanced connectivity making it easier and less expensive to set up base and run efficiently.

Contractor NMCM is delivering the construction programme on CityFibre’s behalf, using modern build techniques to deploy the network quickly. The team is also working closely with City Fibre, Barnsley Council and communities to manage disruption and ensure a fast and successful roll- out.

Natalie Ward, CityFibre’s City Manager for Barnsley, said: “CityFibre is leading the charge in South Yorkshire when it comes to delivering gigabit- capable broadband and Barnsley is next in line to reap the benefits of this transformative technology.”

Matthew Gladstone, Executive Director of Place at Barnsley Council, said the scheme will be “vital in ensuring Barnsley has a resilient and dynamic economy for years to come”.