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Networking provider CityFibre has confirmed it will start work on a £75 million scheme to deliver full fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) connectivity to thousands of properties in Bradford next year.
While the Yorkshire city was first listed in the company's plans back in 2018, there had been no update since. However, the provider has now announced a start date of spring 2021 for the rollout, ISPReview.co.uk reports.
The work forms part of an overall £4 billion investment into FTTP connectivity by CityFibre, which is aiming to reach around one million homes and businesses by the end of next year, before going on to cover some 30 per cent of the UK - around eight million premises - by 2025.
City manager at the connectivity firm Kim Johnston said: "We've made great progress already across Yorkshire, so we're excited to announce our £75 million Bradford investment at a time when digital infrastructure has more than proved its value as an enabler for the economy."
Civil engineering work for the project will be handled by Salford-based Network Plus, with East Bowling expected to be the first area to benefit from the enhanced connectivity.
This is not the first time CityFibre has made inroads into Bradford, however. The firm already has a Dark Fibre network in the city, which was originally acquired from KCOM in 2015.
ISPReview.co.uk noted this has since been extended and upgraded to better serve local businesses, and will help form the foundation for the firm's expanded deployment, which promises to reach nearly every home and business in the city.
Kersten England, chief executive of Bradford Council, added that she is "delighted" the city has been selected as one of a growing number of locations up and down the country to benefit from FTTP connectivity.
She said: "Jobs will be created to construct this new network at a time when job creation has never been more essential, as we look to recover from the effects of Covid-19. Even more important is the transformational impact that this will have on our local business community."
