LilaConnect Start Gigabit FTTP Broadband Rollout in Leek

Network provider LilaConnect, which is a subsidiary of Swedish operator VXFIBER, has just announced that they’ve started to deploy their new “open access” and gigabit speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP network in the Staffordshire (England) market town of Leek.

The operator is currently building their full fibre networks across several areas of the UK, including in the Staffordshire city of Stoke-on-Trent (100,000 premises – here), the town of Colchester in Essex (8,000 premises – here), parts of London (3,000 premises via Prime Fibre) and the towns of Crewe and Nantwich in Cheshire (here). Not to mention their projects in Bristol and Uttoxeter.

By comparison, the build in Leek is expected to cover 11,750 premises (homes and businesses), with the first properties going live by June 2022. All premises across the market town would then be able to have access to this network by the end of 2022.

Consumer pricing of service options starts from around £24.98 per month for 250Mbps on an 18-month term and goes up to £29.98 per month for 1Gbps, although the exact packages and prices may vary between supporting ISPs.

Brett Shepherd, MD of LilaConnect, said:

“Accelerated by the global pandemic, a stable and secure broadband connection has become an essential utility for homes and businesses alike. Both families and individuals have turned to technology and internet connectivity to support their needs to work and/or learn from home.

Overall, internet usage has also become much more than just streaming video and music or online shopping, it’s also about transforming communities with improvements such as better access to employment, education, and healthcare. This has been evident in Stoke-on-Trent, and as such, I’d encourage everyone who can, to switch to the new technology and take advantage of the many benefits that full fibre brings.”

However, unlike some other Alternative Networks, LilaConnect might have made a good decision to target Leek. At present, the town has very little in terms of gigabit-capable broadband rivals. Openreach are set to build FTTP across the area, but they haven’t said exactly when that will happen or how many premises will benefit (right now they’ve only got a very limited level of coverage), and FullFibre Ltd. are also only just starting a similar rollout in the town.