Ultrafast broadband boost coming to Thame & Haddenham

Gigaclear, the UK’s largest rural alt-net, has started work in Thame and Haddenham to connect the towns to its ultrafast full-fibre broadband network.

Gigaclear’s network is already present across much of rural Oxfordshire through the government’s Building Digital UK (BDUK) scheme.

Now, the broadband provider has the opportunity to expand its existing network on a commercial basis to underserved market towns in the county, where internet speeds are still relatively poor.

Thame’s existing broadband speeds are around 25.58Mbps*, while Haddenham’s is 26Mbps, well below the national average of 80Mbps plus.

Gigaclear’s full-fibre upgrade will bring speeds of up to 900Mbps to just over 6,185 homes and business premises in Thame and around 2,315 properties in Haddenham.

In total, the project will require over 92,000 metres of fibre which will be laid via trenching, as well as through existing duct and pole infrastructure.

Ben Woods, Central General Manager at Gigaclear, comments: “We’ve been firmly established in rural Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire for some time now, bringing our ultrafast network to those that need it the most.

“With this infrastructure already in place, we are now in a position where we can focus some of our attention on connecting the underserved market towns close to our current network footprint.

“Communities like Thame and Haddenham are calling out for better broadband, and we are thrilled to be able to provide it. Given the year we have just experienced, I think it is fair to say that connectivity is valued higher than ever before.

“For individuals and rural businesses that still don’t have access to an ultrafast service, it can be incredibly frustrating and isolating, which is why are so pleased to be able to extend our full fibre network to even more areas.”

The expansion of Gigaclear’s network build to Haddenham is expected to be completed by the end of 2021, while Thame is expected to be complete in early 2022.

Gigaclear is principally owned by Infracapital, a leading European infrastructure investor. Their networks are developed through commercial investment and, in some communities, they work with Local Bodies to deliver this essential service with subsidy from the Government’s Building Digital UK (BDUK) scheme.

Established in 2010, Gigaclear’s first network was built in Appleton in the Oxfordshire countryside, close to Abingdon. They are now the leading rural full-fibre broadband provider, offering fast connections to over 65,000 rural homes and businesses across 200 rural communities across the UK.

To find out more or check if your property can connect to the network, visit gigaclear.com and use the postcode checker.

*Average broadband speed according to FairInternetReport.com at the time of writing.