TalkTalk's Fibre Nation to Bring Gigabit-Capable Internet to Dewsbury

TalkTalk’s FibreNation, the budget ISP’s wholly-owned full fibre network, is targeting Dewsbury for its initial rollout.

FibreNation eventually aims to deliver 1Gbps-capable full fibre to three million households across the UK. It has already connected 40,000 households in York, with plans to connect a further 15,000 in the city by next year.

Issues obtaining financing—a £1.5 billion deal with Infracapital fell through last year—have hampered further extension of the project thus far, but TalkTalk appears to be pushing ahead.

Last week FibreNation announced a deal with civil engineering firm MakeHappen to extend the FTTP network to 60,000 homes in Harrogate, Knaresborough, and Ripon.

Now TalkTalk has added the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury to the initial rollout plans—and construction has supposedly already begun.

The first homes in Dewsbury will be able to access gigabit-capable internet by October, with 61,000 premises scheduled to be connected by 2022.

TalkTalk said the work in Dewsbury was part of a £100 million investment the operator is making in full fibre networks across Yorkshire.

Paul Crane, Head of Engagement and Rollout at FibreNation, said: “We are excited to announce we are bringing full fibre to Dewsbury in the next phase of our rollout. There is a huge discrepancy between the UK and the rest of Europe when it comes to full fibre connectivity and we must bridge that gap. Currently, compared to 80% elsewhere in Europe only 8% of UK homes and businesses can connect to a full fibre network, and this simply has to change in order to power up the nation’s economy.

“Fibre is the fourth utility we’ve all been waiting for and we’re proud to be at the forefront of its rollout.”

Peter McBride, Deputy Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “Kirklees Council is delighted to see full fibre arrive in Dewsbury. The Council has a clear vision for Dewsbury to be a well-connected town and to support initiatives that will drive economic growth, improve employment prospects and improve the cultural experience. This announcement will place Dewsbury in select group of northern towns to benefit from such high-speed services.”