Telcom, a leading full stack builder and provider of hyperfast business-grade internet networks has announced it has been selected by Cardiff Council to supply residents and businesses across Cardiff with hyperfast gigabit connectivity.
Many parts of Cardiff have access to fibre-powered high-speed connectivity but there are some areas where a digital divide has emerged due to the patchwork approach to existing operator network builds. These gaps between network builds have resulted in a lack of equitable fibre availability for certain properties, which have instead been left behind in the digital slow lane. These residents and businesses are still reliant upon legacy copper infrastructure and as such suffer from poor broadband services. Cardiff Council is committed to ensuring that its citizens do not become a digital tale of two cities and that 100% complete coverage of full fibre connectivity is available across the city by 2025, creating digital inclusion for all.
The Council previously submitted a bid into the Welsh Government’s Local Broadband Fund to address areas of Cardiff that are receiving poor broadband services. In March 2022 the Council successfully secured funding to provide Gigabit full fibre to the stated premises in the first phase of a wider rollout programme. Via a competitive tender process Telcom were selected as their digital infrastructure partner to deliver a new hyperfast full fibre network based upon its HyperCity vision, capable of connecting the residents and businesses of Cardiff to a sustainable future.
Cllr Chris Weaver, Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance at Cardiff Council said: “This project will deliver high quality fibre broadband to some of the most deprived communities in Cardiff.
“Along with the significant improvements to broadband infrastructure, that wouldn’t have been provided by commercial operators, Telcom is also offering a Social Value Tariff, as well as local employment and training facilities through their Telcom’s Engineering Bootcamp which is due to launched to Cardiff residents this winter.
“The scheme will continue to be rolled out by Telcom until January 2024 through the first phase of the project. The second phase is currently out to tender, with a contract being awarded later this year and will be delivered during 2024/25.”
Shaun Gibson Telcom Group Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer comments, ‘We are delighted to have not only been selected by Cardiff Council but entrusted with the great responsibility of helping to close the digital divide across the City, in doing so ensuring digital inclusion. The rollout of the full fibre HyperCity network will remove barriers to growth and innovation and help to act as a catalyst for economic and social development, by connecting residents and businesses for good. Ultimately, ensuring that the premises served have access to hyperfast internet connections will create a better Cardiff, drive growth and future-proof its economy.”
