Stirling to get 1Gbps fibre network as CityFibre expands in Scotland

Roll-out expected to take 14 months and will connect 3,000 businesses

The Scottish city of Stirling will become the latest location in the UK to enjoy network speeds of up to one gigabit per second (Gbps) after networking upstart CityFibre announced plans to roll-out a 20 kilometer fibre network. The rollout is expected to take about 14 months.

In time, the company expects as many as 3,000 businesses in the city will connect to the internet via its network, as well as schools, libraries, offices and other community facilities.

Stirling Council Leader Johanna Boyd said that having a modern fibre network installed in the city would provide huge benefits for businesses and consumers like.

"This leap forward for our digital connectivity will make our existing businesses more competitive, encourage new businesses to the city centre, and enable us to deliver education and skills programmes, which not only ensure our students are the most digitally skilled in Scotland, but also provide people of all circumstances and skill levels with opportunities for employment."

James McClafferty, CityFibre's Head of Regional Development in Scotland, gave more insight on the specific uses for the high-speed network that the company believes will benefit the city.

"Stirling Council will, for example, explore the e-learning potential offered by Gigabit connectivity in schools and libraries, whilst improving the use of digital and web-based tools and services for both staff and customers," he said.

"What"s more, as the project progresses we expect Stirling to benefit economically as the city becomes more competitive in terms of attracting new businesses, supporting growth amongst existing firms and creating jobs. We are already seeing this trend emerge in our Gigabit City projects across the UK and in others throughout the world."

The roll out will see Stirling become the fourth city in Scotland to join CityFibre"s high-speed network, after Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and 40 in total across the UK.

CityFibre has expanded across the UK largely by rolling out networks outside of the biggest conurbations in places such as Peterborough, Southend, Cambridge, Portsmouth and Southampton.