Full fibre project gets underway in Rochdale

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The £23m investment is set to deliver up to 2,700km of new fibre optic broadband infrastructure across the region

Work is set to start on a full fibre project in Rochdale which will enable the connection of over 1,500 public sector sites across Greater Manchester.

The £23m investment is set to deliver over 75km of fibre across Rochdale and up to 2,700km of new fibre optic broadband infrastructure across the region.

Over 90 public sector sites across Rochdale will benefit from this, as the full fibre network will provide ultra-fast full fibre broadband and also create opportunities for wider connectivity.

Preliminary works have been carried out by Rochdale Borough Council staff, as well as Virgin Media Business, to ensure that work can be carried out in line with the government guidance on social distancing.

Councillor Carol Wardle, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Delivery at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “I’m pleased to see this important project to bring superfast broadband to 98 key public sector sites across Rochdale borough, including council buildings, schools and hospitals, getting underway.

“These changes will enable the council and its partners to deliver services even more efficiently for the benefit of our residents.”

Across the region, 97% of the network will be provided via existing ducting, which means work can take place with minimal disruption in the borough.

The full fibre programme is co-funded by the government’s local full fibre networks programme, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and existing local authority investments in digital infrastructure, making it the UK’s largest local full fibre networks programme.

Work has already started in other parts of Greater Manchester and the first cables are set to be laid in Rochdale this week.