Gigabit Full Fibre has officially arrived in Stoke-on-Trent! Nearly 7,000 premises across Weston Coyney, Burslem and Cobridge are able to access our state-of-the-art full fibre network. If you live in these areas and have yet to take advantage of this incredible network, you can book your installation here.
Not your area? We’ll be with you soon! Over the next few years LilaConnect will be building a new full fibre network across the whole of Stoke-on-Trent, providing full fibre broadband, the best and most reliable internet connectivity in the UK to tens of thousands of homes across the city.
Construction continues…
Construction works across the city have continued at pace throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, building a brand-new network that uses Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband technology – a dedicated future-proof connection where the fibre optic cables are laid all the way into a residential or business property. This differs from a Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC) connection which is a blend of copper and fibre optic cables whereby the fibre only goes as far as the cabinet in the street and then outdated copper wire connects the cabinet to the premises.
If you’re keen to know more about the difference between FTTP and FTTC and the benefits to you as an end user, you can read our handy blog here.
Can I buy this new broadband from LilaConnect?
Not quite – LilaConnect provides the capability for customers to connect directly to the fibre network and also gain access to all the services they require. Our open access platform means that independent Service Provider partners are able to offer their services, giving customers access to a marketplace of essential and innovative services. If a customer wishes to switch their Service Provider, they can do so instantly by heading to our website and selecting their new preferred Service Provider and package. The chosen service is then available immediately (depending on the prior contract they have signed with their current Service Provider i.e. month-to-month or fixed term contract).
To find out which Service Providers are available in your area, check out our dedicated Service Providers page here.
Keen to know when you can get connected? Register your interest today and we’ll send you regular updates about our progress!
Managing the build…
From a construction perspective, it has been an absolute priority to ensure that work is carried out as efficiently as possible. Whilst work of this nature inevitably creates an amount of dust and debris, we have employed a dedicated cleaning team to thoroughly sweep and jet wash once reinstated tarmac has settled.
Litter pickers have been deployed as a gesture of goodwill and “thank you for your patience” whilst Community Engagement and Sales teams are on-hand in fibre deployment areas to meet with residents over a coffee, to answer any questions about the project. Working with national charity Change Please for the LilaConnect Coffee Vans, 100% of profits are donated to local charity Number 11 – supporting people out of homelessness across the city.
Hello future…
It is estimated that gigabit connections will create a whopping £625M boost to the local economy over the next 15 years bringing with it clear socio-economic benefits to communities across the region.
Connectivity and access have shifted from being nice-to-haves, to being more of an everyday utility and the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly fast tracked this. The introduction of a full fibre network has the capacity to transform an entire community – with full fibre connectivity providing the economic incentive to encourage people and businesses to move into the areas it serves. The transformation will be incredible, with a change in demographic and commercial landscape. Residents will be more content and able to work productively from home, while others will find themselves moving into the area in order to benefit from the excellent connectivity. So, what are you waiting for, say Hello future…Hello LilaConnect!
