Huddersfield set for ‘gigabit’ connectivity as works starts on £30m full-fibre project

Work is underway in Huddersfield to extend the town’s full-fibre network to almost every home and business locally.

The project, which marks a new £30m investment from digital infrastructure provider CityFibre, could bring unlimited bandwidth and internet speeds of up to 1,000mbps to locals and companies in the area.

Delivered in partnership with Vodafone, it follows the creation of a new 52km fibre network in Huddersfield in 2014 – a scheme that brought full-fibre connectivity to 176 public sector sites and businesses in the town.

But the new project will provide access to gigabit-speed connectivity for the first time by using fibre optic cables at every stage of the connection instead of aging, capacity-restricting copper cables.

According to CityFibre, the work will cement Huddersfield’s standing as a globally competitive digital location, potentially increasing productivity and economic growth through job creation and inward investment.

SDH Project Services Ltd, the Brighouse-based contractor, has been tasked with delivering the programme.

The first connected homes will have access to gigafast broadband services through Vodafone by the summer, with full completion due by 2021.

CityFibre’s city development manager for Huddersfield, Steve Moore, said: “Through a thriving creative and digital culture, coupled with a world-renowned reputation for manufacturing and innovation, Huddersfield has so much to gain from fresh investment in its broadband infrastructure.

“For instance, recent research estimates that over the next 15 years, the roll-out of full fibre could unlock £18m in business productivity and innovation, and £11m from new startup activity.”

He continued: “Digital investment has the ability to transform businesses and communities.

“In the year ahead, we want to work with as many organisations as possible to raise awareness of our plans for the town and ensure everyone understands the long-term importance of reliable, ultrafast speed and limitless capacity broadband.”

SDH project director Colin Brown commented: “We are delighted to work alongside Kirklees Council and CityFibre on the full fibre rollout in Huddersfield.

“Having such a prestigious contract very local to our company headquarters is a huge accolade for SDH. It will support our aspirations to grow our local workforce exponentially over the coming months and ensure that the network is built by local people who look forward to the exciting opportunities that today’s telecoms industry presents.”

Cllr Peter McBride of Kirklees Council said of the project: “We welcome this investment in the district, which will bring first-class digital infrastructure to Huddersfield residents and future proof its digital connectivity.”