Residents in Preston and Hyndburn will be some of the first in the UK to access the next generation of ultra-fast broadband, which will be delivered wirelessly and capable of reaching speeds of 6,000 Mbps by 2025.

According to a 2018 report by Ofcom, a comprehensive ultra-fast network could mean more than 3,100 jobs and a £62 million economic boost between the towns.*

The initial roll-out will see 6,000 premises in Preston and 4,000 in Hyndburn connected to the network over the next four months, with plans to further increase coverage as the network expands.

The new wireless network is being constructed by Lancashire-based company IX Wireless, while the broadband is being delivered to consumers and businesses by internet service provider 6G Internet.

Neil Knighton, communications manager for IX Wireless, said: “The new IX Wireless wireless broadband network will result in Preston and Hyndburn having some of the fastest internet in the UK.

“As gigabit capable towns, more residents and businesses will be able to take advantage of technology and services that are at the cutting edge of what is possible.

“We are working hard to ensure the new network is rolled out over the next two years and we’re very excited to see the impact this new technology will have.”

Because the new network is delivered by wireless transmitters installed on roof-tops, telecommunication masts, monopoles and street poles, there will be very few road closures or disruptions commonly associated with digging up roads to lay fibre-optic cables. It also means that residents will be able to get ultra-fast broadband without needing a telephone line.

And as part of work to ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of being online, 6G Internet is also donating 20% of its network usage to social causes. This means less well-off residents will be able to access free basic internet, while the local authority, schools and charities can work with 6G to provide digitally excluded children with daily access to high speed unlimited home internet.

With 6G Internet listed as an approved supplier by the government’s BDUK programme, its expansion in Preston and Hyndburn comes as part of wider plans to reach four million homes across the UK by 2022.

Phil Walker, director of finance at 6G Internet, said: “Over the last 15 years, billions of pounds have been invested in research and development for wireless broadband technology. NASA uses it to communicate with its Mars rover, Tesla’s cars use it to update and navigate. Now we are using it to make sure people in Preston and Hyndburn can access the internet faster and cheaper than anywhere else in the UK.”

Residents in Bolton will be some of the first in the UK to access the next generation of high speed superfast broadband, which will be delivered wirelessly and capable of reaching speeds of 6,000 Mbps by 2025.

Ofcom Report the benefits of fibre speed internet networks to Boltons economy

According to a 2018 report by Ofcom, a comprehensive high-speed superfast broadband network could mean an additional 3,250 jobs and a £51 million boost to Bolton’s economy.

Fixed wireless network expands through Bolton

The new wireless network is being constructed by Lancashire-based company IX Wireless, while the broadband is being delivered to consumers and businesses by internet service provider 6G Internet.

Neil Knighton, communications manager for IX Wireless, said: “The new IX Wireless fixed wireless broadband network will result in Bolton having some of the fastest internet in the UK.

“As a gigabit capable town, more residents and businesses in Bolton will be able to take advantage of technology and services that are at the cutting edge of what is possible.

“We are working hard to ensure the new network is rolled out over the next two years and we’re very excited to see the impact this new technology will have.”

Residents in Bolton won’t need a telephone line to access fibre speed broadband

Because the new network is delivered by wireless transmitters installed on roof-tops, telecommunication masts, monopoles and street poles, there will be very few road closures or disruptions commonly associated with digging up roads to lay fibre-optic cables. It also means that residents will be able to get broadband without needing a telephone line.

And as part of work to ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of being online, 6G Internet is also donating 20% of its network usage to social causes. This means less well-off residents will be able to access free basic internet, while the local authority, schools and charities can work with 6G to provide digitally excluded children with daily access to high speed unlimited home internet.

With 6G Internet listed as an approved supplier by the government’s BDUK programme, its expansion in Bolton comes as part of wider plans to reach four million homes across the UK by 2022.

Phil Walker, director of finance at 6G Internet, said: “Over the last 15 years, billions of pounds have been invested in research and development for wireless broadband technology. NASA uses it to communicate with its Mars rover, Tesla’s cars use it to update and navigate. Now we are using it to make sure people in Bolton can access the internet faster and cheaper than anywhere else in the UK.”

Blackburn’s new gigabit capable broadband network could boost the local economy by up to £40m and generate almost 2,000 jobs, according to a report by Ofcom.

Fibre speed broadband network could increase employment by nearly 3%

The report, titled The Benefits of Ultrafast Broadband Deployment, concludes that a full-fibre network within a town results in an increase in employment of 2.9%[1] and a boost to local GDP of 1.1%[2].

Ofcom report highlights the opportunities available with fibre speed broadband

According to the Ofcom report, the new network will help create more small enterprises, with a significant positive impact on Blackburn businesses that rely on ICT skills, such as in the commerce, service and transport sectors.

Super-fast broadband boosts productivity and reduces congestion

The super-fast broadband being delivered in Blackburn will also provide environmental benefits by allowing more people to do their jobs online from home, reducing the number of commuters on the roads.

High speed Broadband Helps Power Smart homes in Blackburn

The rise of smart houses and the Internet of Things means that the network will allow more people to customise their home’s security, surveillance, energy, healthcare and entertainment systems.

Neil Knighton, communications manager for IX Wireless, said: “The new IX Wireless wireless broadband network will result in Blackburn having some of the fastest internet in the UK.

“As a gigabit capable town, more residents and businesses will be able to take advantage of technology and services that are at the cutting edge of what is possible.

Neil Knighton

“We are working hard to ensure the new network is rolled out across Blackburn over the next two years and we’re very excited to see the impact this new technology will have on the town.

“We are continuing to work closely with local communities to ensure minimal disruption. If any residents have concerns or questions about work on their street, they can call our helpline on 01254 405 000.”

How fibre speed fixed wireless networks in Blackburn

Delivered by wireless transmitters installed on roof-tops, telecommunication masts, monopoles and street poles, the new network allows residents to get high speed super-fast broadband without needing a telephone line.

The initial broadband package offered by 6G Internet will be capped at 100 mbps for £21 per month, but speeds will increase as the network becomes more established.

Gigabit Voucher Scheme for communities around Blackburn

In addition, the government’s Gigabit Voucher scheme means eligible residents and businesses can have the cost of installation completely subsidised, meaning they pay no connection fee.

However, should businesses require a faster connection straight away, IX Wireless can also install a physical fibre line at half the market price for immediate access to gigabit speeds.

With 6G Internet listed as an approved supplier by the government’s BDUK programme, its expansion in Blackburn comes as part of wider plans to reach four million homes across the UK by 2022.

[1] Pg 61: In Canada, Singer et al. (2015) investigated the effect of FTTP (i.e. full-fibre) rollout on employment on the basis of the deployment experiences in 39 regions between 2009 and 2014. They estimate that fibre deployment to 100% of a region is associated with an increase in employment of about 2.9% – even if the region already previously benefited from a broadband infrastructure.

With 63,500 people in employment in Blackburn, an increase of 2.9% is 1,841 jobs.

[2] Pg 74: One of the very few studies to focus on ultrafast broadband specifically, by the Analysis Group (2015) estimated that Gigabit broadband communities in the US exhibited a per-capita GDP approximately 1.1% higher than the 41 similar communities with little to no availability of Gigabit services.

Blackburn’s gross value added (GVA) total for 2017 was £3.05bn. The ONS says that the difference between GDP and GVA can vary by around 0.2%. This means that even by conservative estimates, an 0.9% increase in Blackburn’s GVA would result in a boost of £27.5m to the economy. A 1.3% increase in the GVA would result in a boost of £39.7m.

Fibre speed broadband network – phase 1

Phase 1 of the roll-out will cover approximately 1.6 square miles between the A6119 in the north and the A677 in the west, down to the A674 from Wilton Park to Barton Street and the B6232 in the centre of town.

Workmen began installing the network on Revidge Road, with some houses and businesses in the area able to connect immediately. In total, more than 2,000 premises are set to benefit from Phase 1 of the new wireless broadband by June 2019.

IX Wireless plans to complete the majority of work within the next five months, with its partner 6G Internet responsible for delivering internet services to residents and businesses.

Blackburn set to be one of the UK’s first “gigabit-capable” town

The work is part of plans to make Blackburn one of the UK’s first ‘gigabit-capable’ towns, meaning residents will soon be able to access internet speeds of more than 1,000 mbps as standard, increasing to 6,000 mbps by 2025.

Fixed wireless fibre speed network installed without lengthy delays

The installation of the IX Wireless network marks the first time high speed superfast speeds will be available to a town without the months of roadworks and disruption associated with laying fibre-optic cable in the ground.

Instead, users will simply be able to install a small receiver on their building which will pick up the broadband signal via radio wave, broadcast at the speed of light by IX Wireless’s transmitters.

Neil Knighton, communications manager for IX Wireless, said: “This is an exciting first step for both IX Wireless and Blackburn in creating the UK’s first truly gigabit-capable town. We are continuing to work closely with local communities to ensure minimal disruption. If any residents have concerns or questions about work on their street, they can call our helpline on 01254 405 000.”

Fixed wireless superfast broadband

The new wireless network is being constructed by Lancashire-based company IX Wireless, while the broadband is being delivered to consumers and businesses by internet service provider 6G Internet. The roll-out will see 38,000 Blackburn premises connected to the network over the next 24 months.

High speed & superfastsuperfast broadband is key to local regeneration

Councillor Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “We know that faster broadband and a better internet connection can make a real difference to people’s lives, helping them to not only carry out essential tasks such as money management, applying for jobs and accessing education, but also connecting them to more people through social media. We are looking forward to starting work on this on behalf of local residents and businesses.”

Reduced disruption installing fixed wireless superfast broadband

Because the new network is delivered by wireless transmitters installed on roof-tops, telecommunication masts, monopoles and street poles, there will be very few road closures or disruptions commonly associated with digging up roads to lay fibre-optic cables. It also means that residents will be able to get ultra-fast broadband without needing a telephone line.

Internet for Everyone – free internet for families who apply

And as part of work to ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of being online, 6G Internet is also donating 20% of its network usage to social causes. This means less well-off residents will be able to access free basic internet, while the local authority, schools and charities can work with 6G to provide digitally excluded pupils with daily access to unlimited internet at home.

Reaching 4million homes

With 6G Internet listed as an approved supplier by the government’s BDUK programme, its expansion in Blackburn comes as part of wider plans to reach four million homes across the UK by 2022.

Wireless transmission of data is out of this world

Phil Walker, director of finance at 6G Internet, said: “Over the last 15 years, billions of pounds have been invested in research and development for wireless broadband technology. NASA uses it to communicate with its Mars rover, Tesla’s cars use it to update and navigate. Now we are using it to make sure people in Blackburn can access the internet faster and cheaper than anywhere else in the UK.

Neil Knighton, communications manager at IX Wireless, said: “We are working very closely with Blackburn with Darwen council to ensure the absolute minimum disruption for residents. Our liaison officers will be on site to make sure things are running smoothly throughout the process, while residents will also be able to call a dedicated phone number for community support.

“We’re very excited to bring wireless broadband to Blackburn and look forward to making sure everyone in the town can access the benefits of ultra-fast internet.”