CityFibre unveils major £2.5bn investment plan to meet government's 2025 target

Today (October 24), CityFibre has announced a £2.5bn full fibre investment plan, which is set to benefit five million UK homes.

This new plan is an aim to meet a third of the government’s 2025 target of 15 million homes to be kitted out with full fibre connectivity. CityFibre will deliver this to 37 towns and cities across the UK - or five million homes.

Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, said: “With a head-start in 37 towns and cities, this full fibre investment plan enables us to further accelerate our rollout, catalysing huge economic growth in regional towns and cities across the country.

“Our rollout will soon bring to scale an innovative wholesale network, providing internet service providers and mobile network operators with greater choice and unrivalled technical capabilities, benefitting all sectors of the market.

“We now need to work together across government, Ofcom and industry to create a level-playing field that continues to encourage investment from multiple network operators, so that full fibre can be delivered as quickly and effectively as possible.”

The investment plan will deliver an open-access platform reaching a fifth of the UK’s consumer market, aiming to provide choice for internet service providers (ISPs) and mobile network operators.

With Vodafone as its first consumer ISP customer, CityFibre’s builds are currently underway in Milton Keynes, Peterborough and Aberdeen, with construction due to start in Edinburgh, Stirling, Coventry and Huddersfield before the end of this year and Cambridge, Leeds and Southend-on-Sea shortly afterwards.

Jeremy Wright, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, added: “The Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review set out our plans to maximise full fibre coverage.

“I’m delighted that CityFibre’s investment in 37 towns and cities across the UK will ensure the vast majority of homes and businesses in those areas can access this technology through new fibre networks.

“Significant investment from new network operators is critical to deliver our ambition for nationwide coverage. Through our Industrial Strategy we’re working with businesses and Ofcom to ensure effective network competition that supports investment on this scale.”