Full fibre broadband rollout reaches rural Rothbury
10 Jul 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
The UK’s newest, fastest, most reliable broadband technology is now available to over 200 properties in Rothbury, with a further 1,110 properties set to become ready for service.
Liverpool-based internet service provider FACTCO, has worked closely with the iNorthumberland Team at Northumberland County Council to upgrade Rothbury homes and businesses with full fibre connectivity.
Retired Rothbury residents Mr David and Mrs Jayne Woodthorpe were among the first to futureproof their property with a FACTCO connection.
Mr Woodthorpe said: “Full fibre guarantees us good speeds, we didn’t have any worries making the switch. For us, it was a no-brainer decision.”
The couple, in their 70s, have been building and renovating their home in Rothbury. For the Woodthorpe’s, ensuring their brand-new home was installed with full fibre was an obvious choice.
Mr Woodthorpe said: “The reason for opting for full fibre was the longevity it offers. I’ve been keeping my eye on what’s been happening in telecoms and, with the way fibre is being rolled out, we knew we’d need full fibre at some stage. I didn’t have any worries about making the switch.
Since their full fibre installation, the pair have been enjoying upload and download speeds in excess of 300 Mbps.
“Considering the distance from our house to the road, the installation was remarkably quick. The team did a marvellous job in making the switch over easy.’’
Councillor Richard Wearmouth, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council and cabinet member for corporate services, said: "Faster and more reliable broadband can unlock a whole host of benefits for both residents and businesses and I'm so pleased to see this being rolled out in Rothbury.
"I would urge anyone in the area who has this available to get in touch with their supplier and take full advantage of the most up-to-date broadband. If you need advice to get online or need help with your digital skills the Council has a range of useful resources to help you do so."
FACTCO Community Sales Manager, Craig Morley has been assisting Rothbury residents with their transition to fibre.
Mr Morley said: “The days of slow connectivity are becoming a thing of the past now that the community is experiencing the fibre feel good factor.
“I have been overwhelmed with assistance from the people of Rothbury. So many have helped us through this challenging project, in particular Barry Chalk and Minister Ed Butlin from Rothbury United Reformed Church.
“This network would not have been possible without the hard work of our build partners, RuralFibre4U, and the ongoing support of iNorthumberland’s fantastic team. I will be eternally grateful.”
Thanks to funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, support from the City of York Council, and FACTCO, this next-generation broadband is already making waves in Rothbury.
FACTCO is currently offering new customers full fibre broadband for free, even if their current broadband contract hasn’t ended. To find out more call 0333 305 7560.