Hull to Become First Full Fibre Broadband City

Hull becomes the UK’s first full fibre broadband city, thanks to the £85million, six-year Lighstream programme from KCOM.

17:25 14 October 2019

Hull is officially the first full fibre broadband city in the United Kingdom – thanks to communication giant KCOM’s £85million, six-year Lightstream programme. The news comes six years ahead of the Government’s target of making full fibre broadband available across the UK, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas, by 2025. 

 

KCOM managing director Sean Royce said: “Seven years ago, we promised our customers the fastest broadband in the UK and, following the completion of our Lightstream rollout, we are proud to say we’ve delivered it.

 

“Broadband is now an essential utility and access to the fastest speeds on earth is already making a positive difference to homes and businesses in the region, which in turn will help benefit UK plc.”

 

A recent study released by tech research consultancy firm Innovation Observatory found that the deployment of high speed broadband has boosted the economy by £469million between 2012 and 2018. This includes £234million in extra Gross Value Added (GVA) to the Hull and East Yorkshire economy and £204 million in salaries of additional staff employed in local businesses whose growth has been attributable to Lighstream.