TECH
Game-changer - Steph Carter-Smith says CityFibre will future-proof Middlesbrough ' s connectivity .
Q & A : CityFibre ’ s Steph Carter-Smith on making Middlesbrough a digital leader
GIGABIT FUTURE
Steph Carter-Smith , city manager for CityFibre , explains exactly what the team ’ s £ 42m investment will mean for Middlesbrough ’ s digital future .
Can you tell us a bit about CityFibre and your ambitions for Middlesbrough ? CityFibre is future-proofing the UK ’ s connectivity from the ground up – literally ! We ’ re building new digital communications infrastructure in Middlesbrough , bringing the best available technology ( full fibre ) within reach of nearly every home and business . This is a game-changer for Middlesbrough as it will last for generations and help to drive the town ’ s growth now , while also unlocking a world of opportunities in the future .
This is all part of our up to £ 4bn Gigabit City Investment Programme , which will see us bring full fibre within reach of up to eight million homes and businesses across the UK by 2025 .
What ’ s your role at CityFibre ? As a commercial lead in the region , I ’ m the main point of contact for all the town ’ s stakeholders and a key advocate of the many benefits that a full-fibre network will bring to Middlesbrough .
Right at the heart of what we are trying to achieve are the local communities we will serve , so it ’ s very important in my role to ensure the build progresses smoothly and that residents and businesses are kept updated every step of the way .
What is CityFibre doing to minimise disruption from the build ? We understand construction can cause some disruption , which is why we put a lot of effort into planning to minimise the impact on residents . We aim to build once , build right and use a “ street by street ” approach .
Typically , our local construction partner , MAP Group , will only spend about two days outside each property and we ’ ll be in touch by mail ahead of any work starting so you know we ’ re coming .
Why is full fibre different to what I ’ ve got already ? The difference between full fibre and “ regular ” fibre is significant , and even if you think you have “ fibre broadband ” today , the chances are there ’ s copper in there somewhere holding you back – if your router connects to a normal telephone socket , then that ’ s what you ’ ve got .
Our networks are designed specifically for the digital age and take 100 per cent fibre optic technology all the way from the home to the point of connection .
Full fibre enables faster speeds ( think up to 1,000 Mbps for both upload and download ), reliable services and bandwidth that can grow as we need it . It means no more buffering when you ’ re trying to watch the latest Netflix series , a stable , reliable connection on Zoom calls and the family able to play on their consoles and computers simultaneously without any groans of “ the broadband is down ”.
What will the network mean for Middlesbrough ’ s business community ? The network will also offer a real boost to businesses , with experts saying it will drive a range of economic benefits , such as making us more productive and innovative . With the immense internet speeds full fibre enables , slowdown from data-heavy tasks and server strain can be all but eliminated .
Our hope is that once the network is complete , the many businesses that are planning on using a hybrid working model can work equally efficiently whether in the office or at home – no slowdown at peak times and , ultimately , a connection that you can access from the comfort of your sofa that is as fast and efficient as your workplace .
How and when can I sign up ? The good news is that work is already under way to bring full fibre services within reach of nearly every home and business locally . The work has started in Brambles Farm and Thorntree , with the rest of the town soon to follow .
Register your interest today to be one of the first to get access to one of the fastest and most reliable broadband service in the North-East : cityfibre . com / TeesBusiness .
104 | Tees Business