Hyperoptic Switches On 1Gbps FTTP Network In Glasgow

Hyperoptic flicks the fibre switch as local leaders claim better connectivity will boost city’s standing in Europe

Hyperoptic’s fibre to the premise (FTTP) network in Glasgow is live, with residents and businesses in the Glasgow Harbour area of the city able to access speeds of up to 1Gbps.

The network will gradually be switched on across other parts of Scotland’s largest city, with the company targeting high density areas like apartment blocks and business districts, offering an alternative service to Virgin Media’s cable network and providers using Openreach.

Businesses can gain access to the network using the government’s super connected cities voucher scheme, which offers grants worth up to £3,000 for the installation of superfast broadband.

Glasgow fibre network

Glasgow Panorama“Hyperoptic chose Glasgow as its first Scottish city because of its thriving digital scene and the strong demand from residents,” said Tim Huxtable, national team manager at the firm. “We will be investing millions over the next couple of years in broadband infrastructure across Glasgow, with the aim of having thousands of residents and businesses connected within the next year.”

The decision to invest in Glasgow was delayed until the result of the Scottish independence referendum was delivered last September, and joins Hyperoptic’s other city fibre networks across the UK, including Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Reading.

The Scottish government has welcomed the switch on, claiming it will complement other broadband projects in the country and provide economic benefits to Glasgow.

“Hyperoptic’s investment will support Glasgow’s businesses and residents to access the modern digital infrastructure which is critical in supporting the wider transformation of the city, helping to attract new businesses, create jobs and support major regeneration,” said deputy first minister John Swinney. “As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow will have a unique selling point as one of the most prominent digitally connected locations anywhere in Europe.”

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