UK-based smart technology and digital provider Connexin has been awarded £58.6 million in government funding by Building Digital UK (BDUK), an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), as part of Project Gigabit, to roll out fast, reliable broadband to remote communities throughout Nottinghamshire and West Lincolnshire.
Over 34,000 rural properties in hard-to-reach areas such as Kirkby in Ashfield, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Annesley, Wragby and Market Rasen will undergo a major digital upgrade with the introduction of Connexin’s full fibre to the premise (FTTP) broadband infrastructure. Residents will be able to benefit from speeds of up to 1Gbps.
This agreement is part of Project Gigabit, the government’s flagship £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities’ to gain access to lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband.
This initiative will help create new opportunities for residents and businesses across Nottinghamshire and West Lincolnshire who are struggling with slow internet speeds. It will provide productivity efficiencies, boost public services and spur economic growth.
As part of the investment, Connexin has also committed support to community initiatives such as volunteering charitable hours and will provide career mentoring and apprenticeship programmes to a diverse range of candidates in these local communities.
The Connexin team have started the planning and design works to enable the first premises to be connected to the network in early 2025.
Furqan Alamgir, CEO at Connexin, said:
“Through the award of this contract, we are delighted to be able to play our part in the UK government’s mission to level up and bring gigabit connectivity to our rural communities.
“At Connexin our mission is not just about connecting people but also about how such connectivity can improve lives. We believe that everyone has the right to the same opportunities, and we firmly believe in digital inclusion and what it can unlock.
“We look forward to working with BDUK to future proof the infrastructure and bring fast, reliable broadband to the region.”
Data and Digital Infrastructure Minister, Julia Lopez, said:
“Thousands of people across Nottinghamshire and West Lincolnshire are set to benefit from connectivity fit for the future, thanks to Project Gigabit. We’re making strides in connecting communities in hard-to-reach areas across the country, and this latest announcement will bring us one step closer to our digital transformation, opening up vast opportunities in rural areas.”
Cllr Keith Girling, Nottinghamshire County Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said:
“We’re delighted that this investment will provide access to faster and more reliable broadband services for many of our rural communities, helping them with their day-to-day lives, particularly those who work from home or need online access to essential services.
“Being better connected boosts our economy and helps to make Nottinghamshire an even more attractive place to live, work and invest.”
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for IT at Lincolnshire County Council, said:
“We welcome the news of this funding and supplier selection. It is vitally needed in terms of connecting rural areas and it will mean a level playing field in the provision of connectivity for both rural and urban areas.”
“For Lincolnshire, this additional money will make a very real difference to those who live in more remote areas of the county.”
Phoebe Smith, Senior Director, PATRIZIA, said:
“We’re delighted that Connexin has been awarded this Project Gigabit contract to bring to FTTP broadband to the rural areas of Nottinghamshire and West Lincolnshire.
“This critical infrastructure will not only improve people’s daily lives but will empower businesses to thrive and will have a lasting impact for decades to come.”
The contract is one of several announced today as part of a £453 million commitment to delivering next-generation broadband to around 236,000 hard-to-reach homes and businesses across England.
More than £1 billion in contracts have now been awarded through Project Gigabit to connect around 677,000 homes and businesses, with tens of millions of pounds worth of additional contracts to be awarded across the country in the coming weeks.
The UK is building gigabit networks faster than any country in the EU, thanks in part to government measures to stimulate competition and bust barriers to rollout. Last month the government announced that gigabit coverage had reached 80 per cent of the UK, up from just 6 per cent in 2019, and the UK is on track to achieve 85 per cent by 2025.
Connexin was advised by law firm Brodies LLP, and Analysys Mason provided specialist bid support.
