CITYFIBRE
£23M DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
C
rawley is celebrating a major milestone in its digital transformation with work now well underway to build a full fibre network to reach
almost every home and business in the town. CityFibre is investing at least £23m in Crawley to deliver this transformational project, as part of its nationwide plan to replace the country’s ageing copper-based networks with gigabit-capable full fibre connectivity. Upon completion, the network is
Adrian Smith.
expected to boost business productivity and innovation, deliver millions in economic benefits, and
the network quickly while working closely with
provide a platform for a new generation of “smart
CityFibre, Crawley Borough Council and local
city” applications and the roll-out of 5G mobile services.
communities to manage disruption and ensure a fast,
The network is not yet live, but once activated,
successful roll-out. Residents are being kept informed
services will be available from an increasing range of
by door-to-door teams and also mailings ahead of
broadband providers. Across the UK CityFibre is already
works in their streets.
working with launch partner Vodafone to deliver next
Speaking of the project, David Roberts, Managing
generation broadband services, and TalkTalk and other
Director at Lanes-i, said: “We are pleased to be working
partners are expected to join the network soon.
on this contract for CityFibre in Crawley. It’s great to
CityFibre has appointed Adrian Smith as City
be part of an enterprise that transforms communities’
Manager to spearhead the delivery of the Crawley
digital experiences, by giving them more reliable,
project, which is now underway in Langley Green. In
futureproof broadband.”
this role, Adrian will be responsible for ensuring the
Councillor Peter Smith, Cabinet member for Planning
state-of-the-art full fibre network is implemented with
and Economic Development at Crawley Borough
minimal disruption, while delivering maximum benefit
Council, added: “When our public service network
for the wider community.
investment is placed alongside CityFibre’s private Fibre
Adrian will be the lead point of contact for all the
to the Home and Business project, it demonstrates the
town’s stakeholders and a key advocate of the wide-
desire of all concerned to deliver a world-class digital
ranging benefits that a full fibre network will bring to
infrastructure for Crawley, ahead of many other places.
Crawley’s residents and businesses. Adrian said: “It’s really exciting to be part of
Full fibre is currently available to around 16 per cent of premises across the UK. It is considered to be the
CityFibre’s gigabit revolution – CityFibre is doing
best in connectivity for its speed, near unlimited
everything it can to transform towns and cities across
bandwidth and reliability. By using fibre optic cables for
the country. Our digital infrastructure plays a crucial
every stage of the connection from the customer’s
role in growing and protecting local economies, even
home or business to the internet, users will be offered
more so during these unprecedented times when
a significantly superior and more reliable broadband
connectivity has proven vital to residents, businesses
service, capable of Gigabit speeds (1,000 Mbps).
and public services alike.” Local contractor Lanes-i is delivering the
If residents are interested in full fibre broadband, they can pre-register interest with CityFibre and will
construction programme on CityFibre’s behalf. The
receive information when services are available. To pre-
company is using modern build techniques to deploy
register interest, visit www.cityfibre.com/residential
Please mention CRAWLEY PAGES South when responding to adverts
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021
7
