Gigaclear, the ultrafast rural broadband provider, has concluded their build activity with the West Oxfordshire District Council project to subsidise gigabit capable, full fibre broadband to the remotest parts of rural West Oxfordshire.

Celina Joiner, Programme Manager, comments: “We worked in partnership with West Oxfordshire District Council to deliver this £21 million project.

“It’s satisfying to know the hard part of the job’s done, and it’s a been a huge investment on our part – we contribute approximately £10 for every £1 of BDUK subsidy to connect some of the most rural communities.  But the most significant thing is knowing how so many people can now access ultrafast broadband after years of dealing with painfully poor internet. The pandemic truly underlined how important a fast, reliable connection is, especially in historically underserved areas of the county.

“Although our project with the West Oxfordshire District Council is complete, we’re still very active across West Oxfordshire building with commercial investment and continuing our important work in some of the region’s most remote communities.”

Since 2017, Gigaclear has laid more than 700km (435 miles) of fibre across rural West Oxfordshire to connect more than 16,000 homes and businesses to its full-fibre network, which equates to 30 percent of West Oxfordshire having access to Gigaclear's gigabit capable broadband.

Celina adds: “We’ve gone the extra mile to connect hard to reach areas, even carefully crossing the grounds at Blenheim Palace to expand the reach of our network.”

Cllr Jane Doughty, Cabinet Member for Customer Delivery, said: “This scheme has transformed West Oxfordshire bringing ultrafast fibre broadband to homes and businesses which previously could barely manage a connection.

“Working with Gigaclear we have done it well ahead of the national rollout and which has been so important for people to connect with high speeds all across the district, not just in our towns. As part of our ambition to help grow our vibrant economy and support strong local communities, the additional connectivity provided by this upgrade will be crucial and that has been demonstrated during the pandemic.

Robert Courts, Member of Parliament for Witney said: “I am pleased to welcome the progress that Gigaclear have made, working with West Oxfordshire District Council, to deliver ultrafast broadband to even more of my constituents. The ability to access full fibre, ultrafast broadband Is essential for so many people and I welcome the progress and investment that Gigaclear have made since 2017, supported by the BDUK subsidy, which has helped them build the network in some of the most rural areas of my constituency. I know Gigaclear are working on plans to continue to extend their network and I look forward to hearing more about those in due course.”

Gigaclear will continue to expand its network in West Oxfordshire on a commercial basis. By 2023, the organisation aims to double its reach to more communities in the region.

For more information, visit www.gigaclear.co.uk

For further information, please contact Energy PR on 01993 823 011 or email Gigaclear@energypr.co.uk

About Gigaclear:

Gigaclear designs, builds and operates a full fibre, ultrafast broadband network in rural areas across central and southern England. Established in 2010, our network now reaches homes and businesses in more than 450 communities across 22 counties – and growing. We are working hard to provide rural properties, farms and businesses with the UK’s best broadband speeds.

Gigaclear designs and builds its new networks to rural communities where there is a need for better broadband using commercial investment.  In some communities we are working with Local Bodies to deliver this essential service with subsidy under the Building Digital UK (BDUK) scheme.

Gigaclear Ltd is principally owned by Infracapital, a leading European Infrastructure investor.