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MLL Telecom Partners CityFibre to Build, Operate and Own Dark Fibre Network Across UK

MLL Telecom Partners CityFibre to Build, Operate and Own Dark Fibre Network Across UK Image Credit: Volff/Bigstockphoto.com

MLL Telecom announced that is has been awarded a 20-year contract by Suffolk County Council to extend the county’s existing Wide Area Network (WAN) to connect over 600 key public sector sites and provide them with ultra-fast and next generation services.

In addition, MLL has partnered with CityFibre to build, operate and own a 114km dark fibre spine network across 10 towns in the county to connect over 300 of those sites to a future-proof network capable of delivering gigabit speeds as standard.

The project was made possible by an award of £5.9 million to Suffolk County Council from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as part of the third wave of its Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN) Challenge Fund. It has also provided a contractual framework that can be leveraged by other Local Authorities to procure their own full fibre WANs.

The project will begin in January, with CityFibre commencing planning work across ten towns: Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft, Haverhill, Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Sudbury, Stowmarket, Mildenhall and Newmarket. The full fibre network will position the county as a candidate for significant private investment in full fibre roll-outs to homes and businesses such as that already underway by CityFibre through its strategic partnership with Vodafone.

A large part of the project will also be heavily focused on delivering social value to the region, developing local digital skills in the area and ensuring these are retained in the region. MLL Telecom will work with the University of Suffolk and Suffolk County Council to provide apprenticeship training programmes and courses with relevant certifications to boost key digital skills in areas of high business value and demand.

Chris Bally, Deputy CEO, Suffolk Country Council
Through this new 114km fibre network, our councils, NHS clinics, fire stations and more will be able to access leading edge connectivity, which will have a real economic and social impact in the region. Better, more reliable internet access for our public services will bring untold benefits – like more investment, more jobs, and more businesses.

Neil Woolerton, Director of Client Management, MLL Telecom
Our focus is on enabling the public sector in Suffolk to work anywhere, anytime, with connectivity that is up to ten times faster than any other region in the UK as standard. We are absolutely thrilled to support Suffolk County Council – which has been an MLL Telecom customer since 2012 – to fulfil its digital ambition.

Author

Ray is a news editor at The Fast Mode, bringing with him more than 10 years of experience in the wireless industry.

For tips and feedback, email Ray at ray.sharma(at)thefastmode.com, or reach him on LinkedIn @raysharma10, Facebook @1RaySharma

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