£24m broadband deal to benefit 12,000 Shropshire homes and businesses

Freedom Fibre has been awarded a £24m government contract, to supply more than 12,000 homes and businesses in Shropshire with high-speed full-fibre broadband.

The three-year deal is part of the government’s £5bn Project Gigabit, which aims to provide lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband to hard-to-reach communities across the UK.
 
Freedom Fibre’s network will be rolled out across North Shropshire including Cockshutt, Hinstock, High Ercall, Bomere Heath, Hadnall, Cheswardine and Clive, with construction expected to begin in February 2024, with the first properties potentially connected to the broadband as early as October 2024.
 
Freedom Fibre says it will also invest thousands of pounds in a broad range of socio-economic and environmental projects across North Shropshire such as its ‘Freedom Fund’ that offers funding for good and green community-led projects within its build areas.
 
Minister for data and digital infrastructure, Sir John Whittingdale, said: “Thanks to £24 million in government support, thousands of rural homes and businesses across North Shropshire will benefit from Freedom Fibre’s lightning-fast, reliable broadband.
 
“Delivering the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, Project Gigabit is equipping regions like North Shropshire with state-of-the-art connectivity infrastructure and preparing them for the digital age, ushering in a new wave of opportunity and economic growth.”
 
Freedom Fibre CEO Neil McArthur said: “Freedom Fibre is already delivering these services to rural homes and businesses across North West Shropshire and is pleased to be expanding our services to 12,038 homes and businesses in North Shropshire.
 
“The project forms part of the government’s initiative to ensure a UK-wide rollout of full fibre to replace ageing copper networks. Investing £24m in the latest fibre technology, the project will end over 100 years of copper-based services and enable the delivery of high-speed full fibre to the UK”.
 
Councillor Robert Macey, Shropshire Council cabinet member with responsibility for Culture and Digital, said: “This £24m investment is great news for communities and businesses in Shropshire as gigabit-capable broadband further enhances our ability to be a digital county. Improved digital infrastructure remains a top priority for Shropshire Council given its significant economic and social benefits and we look forward to seeing Freedom Fibre progress this exciting infrastructure project.

“In addition, Freedom Fibre has committed to deliver significant Social Value through the contract; examples include upskilling and employing local people, tree planting schemes, and a £25,000 Freedom Fund for local community projects.”
 
Premises set to be reached by the contract are subject to change following detailed planning by the supplier or due to technical reasons during the lifetime of the contract.