Programme launched to bring full fibre connectivity to Leeds

Council and health service buildings across Leeds are set to be upgraded to full fibre connectivity thanks to a £20.3 million partnership launched today between Leeds City Council and BT.

The Leeds Full Fibre Programme will use these sites to accelerate the wider roll out of faster, more reliable broadband to nearby residential and commercial properties. Without increasing what the council currently spends on network services, the programme will make Leeds the largest gigabit and ‘5G capable’ city outside of London.

The new full fibre network will aim to reach every school in the district, giving each of the 285 sites access to the best possible connectivity. The technology powering this network will also be installed at 293 council-owned buildings and 156 NHS buildings, as well as council housing across the city.

BT Enterprise’s business infrastructure partner, Openreach, will be building the full fibre network across Leeds. Openreach is committed to bringing full fibre technology within reach of four million homes and businesses by the end of March next year.

From 2023, the multi-network 5G infrastructure that BT plans to deliver will support the roll out of 5G mobile coverage to 70% of Leeds and approximately 81% of the city’s council houses. This will help to combat the digital divide experienced in some of the city’s most disadvantaged communities.

The programme will also allow the council and its partners to explore 5G products and services which can be rolled out across the city to take advantage of the improved connectivity. An example of this is the council’s plans to use full fibre to support Safer Leeds initiatives.

Leeds City Council and BT are set to partner on a number of projects which will further support the council’s inclusive growth ambitions. Building on the success of the council’s 100% Digital Leeds programme, digital inclusion activities are planned across the city, including digital skills sessions for school children, young people not in education or training and older and more vulnerable people.

Additionally, BT will create a flexible fund, co-governed by the council, to support community initiatives across the city. Leeds City Council and BT will also support residents by exploring low-cost connectivity options for households most in need, with a focus on council housing.

Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for resources, said:

“We’re pleased to launch this programme, which will mean faster, more reliable broadband for the NHS and schools in Leeds as well as the vast majority of our council houses and private residents.

“Rolling out full fibre in Leeds will mean quicker, more responsive public services for our residents and attracting more high quality jobs to the area as businesses are keen to invest in cities with 5G connectivity.”

Tom Riordan CBE, chief executive of Leeds City Council, said:

“We are committed to combating the digital divide experienced across the city, and recognise the importance of getting the right technology and infrastructure in achieving this. We are therefore pleased to announce our collaboration with BT today, with plans of a wide-reaching, future-proofed 5G eco-system to improve digital connectivity.

“By helping to accelerate the wider roll out of full fibre networks across the city, we will be encouraging major organisations and businesses to continue to see Leeds as an extremely attractive location for inward investment.”

Sarah Walker, Director, North of England, for BT’s Enterprise unit, said:

“Our world-class full fibre network will establish Leeds as one of the UK’s digital leaders, by bringing ultrafast broadband speeds to people and businesses across the city as well as underpinning the widespread roll out of 5G mobile services.

“We are pleased to be providing further support to local residents and businesses through a series of initiatives aimed at equipping those people most in need with the essential digital skills needed to get fit for the future.

“Digital technology is transforming every element of the way we live. In a world where everyday life and work increasingly depend on technology, digital skills can be the difference between getting ahead or being left behind.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Josh Cawood

Graduate communications and marketing assistant

josh.cawood@leeds.gov.uk

0113 378 6007

Notes to editors:

100% Digital Leeds is a citywide campaign to remove barriers to digital inclusion. Across Leeds, thousands of adults still lack the basic skills they need to participate in today’s increasingly digital world. People who are offline miss out on all the benefits the internet has to offer, for example, help to find work, saving money or keeping in touch with friends and family. The 100% Digital Leeds initiative, led by Leeds Libraries, is working with partners across the city to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn these skills and access the equipment they need: http://www.digitalinclusionleeds.com/.

To understand more about the council’s Smart Cities ambitions, visit: https://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/documents/s199847/2020%20Scrutiny%20Report%20v0.9.pdf

To read more about the council’s approach to digital inclusion, visit: https://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/documents/s199910/Recommendation%20tracking%20Digital%20Inclusion%20February%202020%20v4.pdf