Scores of Aberdeen council sites are in line to be connected to super-fast broadband.
CityFibre has announced it will extend its Gigabit City network in Aberdeen to reach an additional 57 public sector sites including schools, council offices, libraries and community centres.
When complete, the city’s fibre infrastructure will span over 100 kilometres across the city, connecting 166 key core public sector buildings.
The firm said that the network will “serve to future-proof” the city council, and allow for future developments like smart street lighting, traffic management systems and e-learning opportunities in schools.
CityFibre added that Aberdeen’s Gigabit City status will also help to drive further inward investment, support new business start-ups, nurture digital skills and attract new talent to the city.
Aberdeen became Scotland’s first Gigabit City in March 2015, with a network that currently spans over 80km from Dyce and Bridge of Don through the city centre and down to Altens and Tullos. The news follows Aberdeen’s recent qualification as a pilot city for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which launched last month. The scheme has been designed to help small and medium-sized businesses connect to full-fibre internet by providing grants of up to £3,000 to cover installation costs.
James McClafferty, head of regional development in Scotland at CityFibre, said: “Helping Aberdeen take hold of its digital future has been a truly collaborative process from the very beginning.
“This second phase of our strategic partnership with Capita and Aberdeen City Council will bring next-generation digital connectivity to even more of the city’s public sites and organisations as our network expands.
“To meet the demands of the digital age, it is paramount that we have reliable, future-proof connectivity to support new industries as they emerge and help traditional industries evolve.
“The city’s potential as a key player in the UK’s digital economy is starting to be recognised and our aim is to bolster this by building the full-fibre foundations it needs for continued success.”
Council co-leader Douglas Lumsden said: “By partnering with CityFibre, we have positioned Aberdeen as one of the best connected cities with some of the best digitally-equipped public services in the country.
“As well as revolutionising our technology systems and services, CityFibre’s ongoing investment has already helped attract top talent and continued investment at a critical time for the city.
“Having already experienced the benefits of gigabit speed connectivity, in schools, libraries and our own council offices, we are excited by the prospect of having even more digital capability as a result of the expansion. We have no doubt the news will be well received by our public and private sector communities alike.”
CityFibre has now built and invested in 42 Gigabit Cities across the country.