Alternative network operator and UK ISP Quickline has today issued a small progress update on their £44 million state aid supported gigabit broadband roll-out contract for South Yorkshire (Lot 20 – here) in England, which ultimately aims to reach 32,100 additional premises in hard-to-reach rural areas (plus 29,000 via a complementary commercial build).
In short, 1,700 homes and businesses in the villages of Barnby Dun and Hatfield Woodhouse, just north of Doncaster, now have access to gigabit-capable broadband under the contract and can order their new service from the operator.
Customers of the service will typically pay from £29 per month for 200Mbps symmetric speeds on a 24-month term with free installation, which goes up to £32 for their top 900Mbps tier (£49 after 24 months).
Project Gigabit itself aims to help extend 1Gbps (download) capable networks to reach “nationwide” coverage (c. 99% of the UK) by 2030 (currently over 86%). Commercial investment has already delivered more than 80% of this, which leaves the government’s scheme to focus on tackling the final 10-20% (mostly rural and some suburban areas), where the private sector alone often fails.