City leads the way for internet revolution

Every household and business in the city is due to be given access to the high-speed network in a bid to place it at the forefront of an internet revolution.

York Council is working with CityFibre to improve internet access in the city and has announced plans to build on a dark fibre optic network which was installed last year, connecting more than 100 council buildings including schools and libraries.

The city-wide coverage will put York at the forefront of digital connectivity.

York Council’s leader, Coun James Alexander, said: “High-speed internet access is essential for success in a modern world and we’ve already benefited from this in terms of delivery of council and local NHS services as well as trialling free wi-fi access.

“Now we want to take this to the next level to allow York’s business community to benefit from this super-fast digital network to help them develop new markets, attract new customers and be more competitive on both a national and international level – a truly exciting prospect.”

The authority has set itself the target of 95 per cent of businesses in the city having access to speeds of 25 megabits per second by the end of 2014.

The chief executive at CityFibre, Greg Mesch, said: “Our collaboration with York Council is leading the way as a solution that allows all public, private and residential sectors to be connected across a pure fibre optic infrastructure designed with digital services in mind, sparking economic growth, innovation and job creation.”

Earlier this month, the Yorkshire Post revealed York Council has approved a £28.5m Economic Infrastructure Fund (EIF) which will help to stimulate investment over the next five years. The fund will focus on five key themes, including Digital York.

End for the internet? Page 11.