‘Faster Britain’ expansion to light up Preston with gigabit capable full fibre network

• Preston businesses set to become some of the best connected in the UK
• Full fibre gigabit capable network set to go live in Preston at the end of April 2021
• New network also connects the villages and towns between Preston and Blackpool and adds to the extensive network in Blackpool

HM Network are thrilled to announce that Businesses in Preston will soon be able to take advantage of gigabit capable connectivity thanks to the town’s new ‘Faster Britain’ full fibre network. The network will go live in April and brings gigabit capable connectivity across the area, with the new full fibre network spanning West from the Ribbleton Park area to the Docklands, through the city centre, from Moor Park through to Deepdale.

On offer are 3 different variants of the Full Fibre internet service, bringing ultrafast connectivity options to suit all business needs and budgets, with easy migrations paths should a customer want more bandwidth or higher SLA’s.

The Faster Britain digital infrastructure is powered by HM Network’s alternative network provider – ITS Technology Group, meeting the soaring demand for fast internet connections from the area’s business community.

It also connects Preston to its existing network in Blackpool, providing access for businesses to access the high-speed fibre network along the route including Freckleton, Warton, Lytham and Lytham St Annes. To date many businesses in Preston have struggled to access speeds over 70Mbps (source: Fair Internet Report). As part of the go-live, businesses will have access to speeds of up to 1Gbps.

What’s more, the easy migration path between these services means that customers can increase bandwidth in a matter of days and even switch from shared bandwidth to a service with guaranteed speeds and higher SLA’s equally as easily without the need for a brand new install.

3 x Full Fibre Internet Offerings With Shared or Un Contended Bandwidth

a) Fibre One: 100 and 200Mbps options (32:1 contended service)

b) Fibre Light: 100, 200, 300, and 500Mbps options (8:1 contended service)

c) Fibre Bright: 100, 200, 300, 500 and 1000Mbps options (1:1 un contended service)

In addition to ultrafast speeds, a variety of resilience options are also available including ADSL, FTTC, 4G, and secondary fibre. Coverage will be extensive, and interested businesses encouraged to contact HM Network to check availability.

Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS said: “I am excited to launch our new network in Preston, extending our significant presence in West Lancashire. As part of our Faster Britain UK network businesses in Preston will feel the benefit of full fibre. And being part of our program ensures that Preston exceeds the government’s goals for everyone in the UK to have access to ‘gigabit capable’ connectivity by 2033.

“For the last two years we have been working with councils, local businesses, groups and associations to understand which areas will benefit from full fibre network investment, and I’m delighted we will be switching on Preston in April. “As the legacy copper-based network becomes obsolete and we move towards its switch off, our mission is to deliver full fibre, gigabit capable connectivity to where it is needed. The pandemic has highlighted just how vital a fast internet connection is to enable people to continue to keep in touch, particularly when circumstances are keeping us apart. Faster Britain is fixing the problem around gigabit capable connectivity which isn’t available to everyone.

In 2020 home working demonstrated that copper based internet connectivity struggles with the amount of users battling for bandwidth and media rich content. Fibre technology can massively improve business productivity due to its increased bandwidth, flexibility, and scalability. “We’re excited to be playing such an integral role in the digital aspirations of businesses across West Lancashire”. As part of the Faster Britain program, businesses premises across Preston are able to access a huge range of IT, telephony, gigabit capable broadband and connectivity solutions via ITS’ partner network including Preston’s own HM Network Ltd.

Please visit our Faster Britain – Preston page for more information, data sheets and to check availability