Hull broadband provider KCOM is to invest £100 million to bring ultrafast full-fibre broadband to thousands of properties across the region.
The firm completed its full-fibre rollout across its core Hull and East Yorkshire network last year.
It now plans to push beyond its traditional boundaries to deliver ultrafast broadband to tens of thousands more homes and businesses.
The first phase will reach Driffield, Nafferton and Market Weighton in East Yorkshire in early 2020, with more areas to be announced throughout the year.
Councillor Daren Hale, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for economic investment, said: “This is fantastic news for both the Hull area and for KCOM, a prestigious tech company headquartered in Hull. Hull is already the UK’s best-connected city and this investment further strengthens that position.
“Homes and businesses rely on quick, reliable broadband connectivity. Hull will benefit from faster broadband in the towns and rural areas surrounding it – many of the people living in these areas come to Hull for work and to conduct business, while many Hull residents travel to these areas for work.
We’ve announced #Driffield, #MarketWeighton and #Nafferton as the first towns and villages we’re expanding our award-winning full fibre network to in East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
Find out more: https://t.co/mbD36Ny2nO pic.twitter.com/h8cHFEL7sj
— KCOM (@KCOMhome) 8 January 2020
“Research is already showing an undeniable boost for our economy following the rollout of full-fibre broadband in the city and this investment will help further growth in the wider Hull economy.”
Lightstream has had a substantial impact in Hull and East Yorkshire since KCOM started its rollout in 2012.
Research commissioned by KCOM shows the full-fibre network added £469m to the economy between 2012 and 2018. It added £127m in extra value to the Hull and East Yorkshire economy in 2018 alone.
KCOM’s Hull and East Yorkshire network boasts 100 per cent full-fibre coverage compared to just 10 per cent of the rest of the UK.
