Full-fibre connectivity lies at the heart of Reading’s economic future
New investment in national infrastructure has long been celebrated for its ability to drive growth through investment, job creation and new business opportunities, which is why developments such as the Crossrail expansion will be met with welcome applause when it opens next year, writes Nick Gray, city development manager, CityFibre
This is set to benefit thousands of people and businesses by improving connectivity between the east and west of London. But as our lives move increasingly online, we need to ensure that the investments we make as a nation support our future needs and prospects as well as those we have at present.
The digital age is clearly here, and towns in the Thames Valley have certainly been leading the charge when it comes to embracing the enterprise opportunities it brings with it. Reading is no exception. In fact, it boasts the highest density of digital tech businesses in the UK, according to Tech Nation’s most recent report.
However the UK’s current digital infrastructure continues to hold many businesses back, and not just in the digital tech sector. Aging, capacity constrained, fibre-to-the-cabinet networks are struggling to support the nation’s rapidly growing web traffic, leading to reduced productivity, frustration and irritation in workplaces across the country.
But things are changing for Reading and its Thames Valley neighbours. The Gigabit City revolution has arrived and is already transforming digital services for businesses in all sorts of sectors across the region.
As part of CityFibre’s ambitious transformation of the UK’s digital infrastructure, Reading became one of the UK’s growing network of Gigabit Cities in late 2016, joining Bracknell, Maidenhead and Slough across the Thames Valley region.
This investment from the leading alternative infrastructure provider, in partnership with Berkshire-based telecoms specialist, BtL, is set to light up the region, providing businesses connected to the network access to gigabit-speed internet services up to 100 times faster than the UK’s average speeds.
The first connected businesses now have access to one of the fastest fibre networks in the world and with the majority of businesses depending on reliable and efficient connectivity it is vitally important for businesses to invest in.
According to the Federation of Small Businesses, 94% of small business owners consider a reliable internet connection critical to the success of their business.
Over 30km of pure-fibre network now runs throughout Reading. With a CityFibre connection, businesses will see ultra-fast (up to 1000Mbps) internet speeds available at one of the most competitive rates in the city.
The advantages to businesses of full-fibre technology includes future-proofing connectivity requirements allowing companies to fully embrace new technologies such as cloud-based systems and not have to worry about bandwidth issues, increased reliability, full-fibre infrastructure offers a much more reliable connection than copper-based systems and businesses also have an edge over the competition.
For more information about the capability of gigabit internet speeds and pure-fibre connectivity in Reading and the Thames Valley, businesses can register their interest at cityfibre.com/business
The link between full-fibre investment and business growth has been recognised locally by Thames Valley Berkshire LEP with estimates highlighting investment in ultra-fast connectivity could help generate an additional £1.2 billion GVA for the region over the next five to seven years.
For more information about the capability of gigabit internet speeds and pure-fibre connectivity in Reading and the Thames Valley, businesses can register their interest at cityfibre.com/business
