Programme launched to bring full fibre connectivity to Leeds

Tuesday, 3 March 2020 07:00

Council and health service buildings across Leeds are set to be upgraded to full fibre connectivity thanks to a £20.3 million partnership launched today between Leeds City Council and BT.

The Leeds Full Fibre Programme will use these sites to accelerate the wider roll out of faster, more reliable broadband to nearby residential and commercial properties. Without increasing what the council currently spends on network services, the programme will make Leeds the largest gigabit and ‘5G capable’ city outside of London.

The new full fibre network will aim to reach every school in the district, giving each of the 285 sites access to the best possible connectivity.

The technology powering this network will also be installed at 293 council-owned buildings and 156 NHS buildings, as well as council housing across the city.

From 2023, the multi-network 5G infrastructure that BT plans to deliver will support the roll out of 5G mobile coverage to 70% of Leeds and approximately 81% of the city’s council houses.

This will help to combat the digital divide experienced in some of the city’s most disadvantaged communities.

Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for resources, said: "We’re pleased to launch this programme, which will mean faster, more reliable broadband for the NHS and schools in Leeds as well as the vast majority of our council houses and private residents.”

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