CityFibre brings gigabit fibre broadband to Peterborough

Homes and businesses in Peterborough are set to be introduced to a fibre optic broadband network that will provide gigabit speeds.

The project will cost around £30 million and comes courtesy of CityFibre, which is an independent service provider that focuses on bringing upgrades to the UK's smaller towns and cities.

It is a partnership between the provider and Peterborough City Council. The authority's Leader Marco Cereste explained the benefits that will come from the project would be felt economically as well as socially.

He said: "Peterborough's economy is rapidly growing and the CityFibre investment will allow businesses of all sizes to utilise the internet for growth."

The move goes against the trend of the government's nationwide Broadband Delivery UK programme, which has so far only awarded contracts to BT. 

This has led to criticisms that the project is breeding a lack of competition and will see areas that are perceived as being less profitable excluded.