North Lanarkshire Council has announced that the first 120,000 metres of ultra-fast full fibre network across the region has now been completed.

This milestone amounts to the first third of the entire 340 km of fibre infrastructure in place, enough cable to take a return trip to London or to run the length of 1,100 football pitches back to back.

Once the infrastructure network is completed by next summer, it is anticipated that 143,657 homes across North Lanarkshire (about 85% coverage) will have access to gigabit-capable broadband, years earlier than planned.

Currently just 20 per cent of the population in North Lanarkshire can access fibre-enabled connectivity and this universal fibre coverage will enable mobile network operators to accelerate the deployment of 5G across the region and be set up for smart technology that will improve everyday living.

For residents, it means access to a whole new reliable, high-speed network that is affordable to anyone who wants to use it but were previously put off by cost and lack of a robust service. People, no matter where they live, will have greater opportunity to use reliable internet at speeds of up to 1Gbps for the first time across the region. This will open up access to an online world of opportunity, significantly reducing the digital divide between areas.

The ambitious programme is part of a 15-year deal with Commsworld and its partners to transform and improve connectivity across the region and delivering a GVA of around £1.3billion.

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The programme includes:

• Delivery of a 340km network of gigabit-capable ultra-fast full fibre to transform residential, business and public sector connectivity. 

• Transform North Lanarkshire Council’s digital infrastructure, significantly boosting school internet access

• The creation of a free public WiFi network across town centres and community facilities.

• Connecting all 29 parks in North Lanarkshire, including Strathclyde, Palacerigg and Drumpellier country parks as well as all business parks.

• Providing rural properties with the opportunity to get ultrafast fibre through the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS), with a target of at least 1,000 rural properties

The fundamental associated benefit is accelerating the availability of gigabit-capable fibre broadband (providing download speeds up to one gigabit-per-second) for communities and businesses to access.

The deal will ensure significantly improved access to high-quality, reliable fibre connections, making a real and transformative difference to investment opportunities for businesses while also tackling digital exclusion.

Councillor Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: "This is excellent news for residents and businesses as we reach a significant milestone that sees 120km, representing a third of the planned fibre internet cables laid beneath streets across North Lanarkshire.

"The transformation this will bring to residents and businesses is hard to imagine but it will give everyone more choice and innovation and truly set the scene for smart technology on our streets, with devices communicating with residents and operating remotely for things like parking, street lighting, air pollution and waste. The implication for businesses is incredible, with robotics, sensors, devices and monitors.

"This is an exciting time for technological progress and this latest rollout shows that we’re on track to make North Lanarkshire one of the first fully-fibre enabled regions in Scotland, massively improving digital connectivity and delivering a GVA or around £1.3bn over 15 years."

Bruce Strang, Chief Operating Officer for Commsworld, said: "Commsworld is delighted to be on track in delivering massively enhanced infrastructure and connectivity to North Lanarkshire together with our partners. This transformation means that both residents and businesses will gain access to real high-quality internet connectivity at far more cost effective prices, a game changer for many who have been previously underserved – or not served at all – by the internet.

"Commsworld is a Scottish-based company which from day one has been committed to providing a quality service for all citizens. That means providing huge opportunities for the communities in which we live and work – residents, businesses, town centres, schools and public buildings – so they enjoy the benefits high-speed, reliable connectivity can bring. This in turn will go a long way to helping reduce the nation’s digital divide."