The digital transformation of Christchurch and Poole is officially underway in what’s been hailed as a major milestone.

Work started this week on a new full fibre network which will bring access to next generation broadband for almost every home and business in the two towns.

The £30m investment by CityFibre forms part of its plans to upgrade the nation’s legacy networks with gigabit-capable full fibre connectivity.

Currently the majority of broadband services marketed as ‘fibre’ are only actually part fibre.

They use fast fibre to the cabinet in a street, and then switch to slow copper cabling to individual properties.

Full fibre provides lightning speed fibre all the way to a home or business with no bottlenecks to slow it down.

CityFibre, the UK’s third national infrastructure platform, has been building in Bournemouth since October 2019.

The extended project is expected to boost business productivity and innovation, and deliver millions in economic benefits for Christchurch and Poole, as well as give residents access to the UK’s fastest broadband services.

Upon completion it will provide a platform for a new generation of ‘smart city’ applications, as well as the roll-out of 5G mobile services.

CityFibre began work in Somerford and Canford Heath on March 15.

The overall project is expected to reach completion by the end of 2023 but the first services will go live much sooner.

As the network is completed in each neighbourhood, internet service providers (ISPs) will ‘light them up’ with some of the fastest and best value broadband packages available in the country.

Lucy Cooper, CityFibre’s City Manager for Bournemouth, is spearheading the delivery of the Christchurch and Poole project.

A local born and bred, she is responsible for ensuring the state-of-the-art full fibre network is implemented with minimal disruption while delivering maximum benefit for the wider community.

Lucy, pictured left, is also the lead point of contact for all of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s stakeholders and a key advocate of the wide-ranging benefits that a full fibre network will bring to each community’s residents and businesses.

She said: “Bournemouth was among the first UK cities to be earmarked for investment as part of our Gigabit City Investment programme, so it’s really exciting to be extending this project into Christchurch and Poole.

“As a native to Poole, I am very keen that residents and businesses across the entire district can benefit from our network too.

“As the fastest, highest capacity and most reliable network technology available, full fibre will be key to ensuring that our digital needs and data demands continue to be met as we progress into the future.

“Our world has never been more connected, and our need for broadband services we can depend on is only going to grow and become more critical.”

CCN Communications Ltd is delivering the construction programme on CityFibre’s behalf, using modern build techniques to deploy the network quickly.

CityFibre will work closely with BCP Council and local communities to ensure a fast and successful roll-out.

Residents are being kept informed by mailings ahead of works beginning in their streets.

Cllr Philip Broadhead, pictured right, BCP Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning, said: “We welcome this additional private investment by CityFibre into Christchurch and Poole as we see it build on the success of Bournemouth’s full fibre journey since 2019.

“The entire project is delivering a modern, fit-for-purpose digital infrastructure that will futureproof residents and businesses for years to come.

“BCP Council continues to work closely with the private sector to facilitate economic growth in the digital age.

“CityFibre’s full fibre network will be vital in ensuring that where we live and work has a resilient and dynamic futureproof economy.”

Once activated, services will be available from an increasing range of broadband providers.

Across the UK, CityFibre is already working with launch partner, Vodafone to deliver next generation broadband services, and TalkTalk is expected to join the network soon.

Greg Mesch, CityFibre’s Chief Executive Officer, founded the company in 2011.

The company is now privately owned by a consortium of Antin Infrastructure Partners and West Street Infrastructure Partners.

• To pre-register interest with CityFibre and receive information when services are available, please click here.