Chipping Norton is set to be connected to an ultrafast, full-fibre broadband network.

Work has started to connect the town to the Gigaclear network with the first connected properties in the area already live. 

Gigaclear is a broadband provider that designs, builds and operates a full fibre, ultrafast network in rural areas across central and southern England and its network is already present across much of rural Oxfordshire.

Now it is expanding to the more densely populated market towns where internet speeds are still extremely poor.

Chipping Norton’s existing broadband speeds are around 27.15 megabits per second, well below the national average of 80Mbps plus, said Gigaclear.

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The company’s full-fibre upgrade will bring speeds of up to 900Mbps to just over 3,700 homes and business premises in the town.

The project will require over 33,000 metres of fibre which will be laid using trenching as well as through existing ducts and poles. 

Ben Woods, central general manager at Gigaclear, said: “We’ve already been building our network in rural Oxfordshire where we’ve focused on bridging the digital divide and addressing inadequate broadband provision.

“Now that we’ve got a well-established network here, we can turn our attention to its market towns, like Chipping Norton, which are calling out for better internet.”

He added: “Fast broadband speeds are a necessity for a modern economy. The way in which we live and work depends on the internet, something that has been sharply underlined by the pandemic.

"We believe in digital inclusion for all and we’re excited to bring our network to more people so they can enjoy the life-changing benefits that come with world-leading connectivity.”

The expansion of Gigaclear’s network is expected to be completed by the end of the year.