Digital infrastructure boost for Hartlepool

Published Thursday, 18th March 2021

The latest full fibre digital infrastructure is to be rolled out in Hartlepool, leading to enhanced internet connectivity for thousands of households.

CityFibre plans to install the latest cable technology across the town as part of a £4 billion nationwide investment programme.

The company’s investment in Hartlepool alone will be £23 million and some 46,000 homes will benefit.

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “This announcement is great news for the town, its residents and local businesses.

“The importance of a reliable, high-speed internet connection has been brought into sharp focus by the pandemic, with so many people having to work from home.”

Hartlepool is one of 216 additional towns and villages identified by CityFibre to benefit from full fibre roll out, completing the list of locations in its £4 billion nationwide investment programme and bringing the benefits of the technology to communities outside the UK’s major towns and cities.

The company says the scale of its roll out has been made possible by the favourable regulatory environment established by Ofcom to encourage infrastructure competition - making it easier and quicker to deploy full fibre networks.

Installation work is expected to begin in Hartlepool later this year, with the first services going live by January 2022.

Hartlepool Borough Council intends to work closely with CityFibre to draw up a detailed installation plan and further details will be announced once this is finalised.

Steph Carter-Smith, CityFibre’s City Manager for Hartlepool said: “We’re making huge strides in delivering full fibre to homes and businesses across Tees Valley, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring our best-in-class network to Hartlepool. 

“At CityFibre, we pride ourselves on being agile and flexible. There is clear demand in these areas for full fibre and we’re now working quickly to ensure premises can access our network.”