High-speed broadband brought to rural parts of Oxfordshire
The GigaHubs project, led by Oxfordshire County Council, has introduced gigabit-capable broadband to 192 public service sites, including schools, GP surgeries, fire stations, libraries, leisure centres and community centres.
Councillor Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "The GigaHubs project has transformed the digital landscape of Oxfordshire, enabling libraries, community centres, schools and GP practices to offer enhanced services to residents.
"The successful collaboration with Neos Networks and other industry leaders has ensured that even the most remote areas now have access to reliable, high-speed internet.
"This initiative supports our broader goals of reducing carbon emissions, promoting digital inclusion, and fostering community engagement."
The project focused on rural areas where fibre connectivity has been difficult and costly to implement.
It was jointly funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the county council, with the council's contribution drawn from revenue generated by its digital infrastructure programme.
The project was managed by Neos Networks, with Openreach, Virgin Media Business, and Gigaclear serving as subcontractors.
The upgraded connectivity is already making a difference, allowing village halls and community centres to livestream events, meetings, clubs and classes.
In addition to broadband installation, the digital infrastructure programme is funding three years of internet access for the 55 community centres and village halls connected through the project.
The council now hopes to develop these sites into broader community hubs, offering health and social care support and reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for essential services.
The scheme has also enabled the migration of council buildings from leased lines to direct fibre connections, saving the council £70,000 annually in connectivity costs.
David Bruce, chief revenue officer at Neos Networks, said: "The collaboration has allowed us to use our expertise and relationships to deliver real public good and support the council's vision for a smarter, more connected Oxfordshire.
"This project should serve as a blueprint for other local authorities seeking to bridge the digital divide and support community development."
The upgraded infrastructure is also expected to incentivise more investment from the commercial sector in rural areas now that the targeted hubs provide a way to connect homes and businesses nearby.
As part of its agreement with Neos, the council secured a £20,000 social value contribution, which funded the purchase of 30 public computers now installed in libraries at Oxford Westgate, Cowley and Abingdon.
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