Harrogate Smart District

Harrogate's £46m scheme to create 'smart district' and rollout superfast broadband to thousands of residents takes a major step forward.

11:54 18 December 2020

A £46million scheme will see almost every single home and business in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon to gain access to next-generation broadband by next year. The investment is part of CityFibre's plans to replace the nation's legacy network with gigabit-capable full fibre connectivity and to provide a platform for a new generation of "smart city" applications and underpin the roll-out of 5G mobile services. 

 

Coun Graham Swift, Harrogate Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “This investment in full fibre across the Harrogate district will provide our residents and businesses with access to ultrafast broadband service that is fit for the future.

 

“It also supports our economic growth strategy that aims to create a ‘smart district’ through improved connectivity, which in turn supports businesses growth and investment across the district.”

 

Once the network is activated, services will be available from a range of internet providers. 

 

Kim Johnston, City Manager at CityFibre who spearheads the delivery of the project, said: “The pandemic has forced us all to rely on digital connectivity like never before. As we move forward, full Fibre will be instrumental in growing and protecting local economies in the Harrogate Borough and make it an even better place to live and work now and in the future.

 

“We want to work with as many organisations as possible to raise awareness of our plans for the district and ensure everyone understands the long-term importance of reliable, ultrafast speed and limitless capacity broadband.”