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The Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) and Neos Networks have today confirmed the completion of their £7.25m “GigaHubs” project, which has now connected 192 public sector sites (schools, hospitals etc.) to a new 1,500km long gigabit-capable full fibre broadband network.
Just to recap. Neos holds the contract for this, but they’re also partly acting as an aggregator, bringing together several connectivity suppliers — including Openreach, Virgin Media (Business) and alternative network ISP Gigaclear — to help build, manage and operate the new infrastructure (laying the foundations for a “smart county“).
The project, which is part of the GigaHubs (formerly Local Full Fibre Networks) scheme under the Government’s £5bn Project Gigabit programme, first began in 2021 (here) and was previously due to be completed toward the end of 2024 (i.e. it took just a little longer than originally planned). Funding for the 20-year deal included a £5m investment from OCC, around £2m from Project Gigabit and, £250k from the Local Enterprise Partnership.
Some benefits of the new network have already been observed in communities where the new infrastructure is operational. For example, village halls and community centres are live-streaming events, meetings, clubs, and classes, to name a selection.
In addition to providing new full fibre broadband, the Digital Infrastructure Programme has also funded 3 years of paid internet access for the 55 community centres and village halls connected through the project. The OCC has ambitions to equip these community and village halls to become ‘community hubs’, offering enhanced services, health and social care support, and reducing the need for people to travel further afield to access vital public services.
Craig Bower, Digital Connectivity Programme Director, said:
“The completion of the GigaHubs project marks a significant milestone in our mission to enhance digital connectivity across Oxfordshire. By providing gigabit-capable broadband to 192 public service sites, we have not only improved the quality of services offered at these locations but also stimulated further commercial investment in rural areas. This project exemplifies our commitment to digital inclusion and community development.”
David Bruce, CRO at Neos Networks, said:
“We’re delighted to have played a pivotal role in Oxfordshire’s GigaHubs project, which has empowered schools, GP practices, libraries, and other community hubs with fast and reliable gigabit-capable broadband. The collaboration has allowed us to use our expertise and relationships to deliver real public good and support the council’s vision for a smarter, more connected Oxfordshire. This project should serve as a blueprint for other local authorities seeking to bridge the digital divide support community development”.
The project has also allowed the migration from expensive leased line services to direct fibre internet services for council buildings. This has both improved connectivity performance while achieving a saving of £69,619.08 a year on connectivity costs for the council.
The new fibre isn’t just about serving public sector sites, since the new footprint of rural infrastructure that it creates can also help to incentivise other broadband operators to connect surrounding premises to faster speeds (usually requires a separate private investment). This seems to have played a role in Gigaclear’s Project Gigabit contract win in the county during late 2023 (here).
Finally, the OCC has secured a £20,000 social value contribution under the deal, which has been used to purchase 30 public computers – these have been allocated to the Oxford Westgate Library, Cowley Library, and Abingdon Library.