UK Fibre Networks goes Fastr as it rolls out full fibre gigabit broadband to 8000 homes and businesses in York city centre

York-based internet service provider, UK Fibre Networks has announced a new name and brand for the business – Fastr Broadband, as it continues to roll out its full fibre gigabit broadband network to 8000 homes and businesses in York city centre.

Bringing broadband speeds of up to 8000 Mbps over the next 12 months, the company has chosen the Norse word, Fastr, to reflect the ultrafast speeds it will be delivering whilst drawing upon the city’s Viking roots and reflecting its status as a York independent business.

Powered by UK Fibre Networks which launched in 2019, hundreds of homes and businesses within the city walls are already connected to the network, where they can experience download speeds up to 452 times and upload speeds up to 8000 times faster* than the internet services currently available in the area. This means a rock-solid internet connection for residents so they can enjoy endless streaming, internet surfing, gaming, and a boost for businesses enabling growth and expansion as they can reach new online markets and improve their customer experience both in their stores and online.

Popular city centre takeaway,  Mr Chippy based in Church Street near St Sampson’s Square joined the network in 2020, transforming its internet speeds from only 11 Mbps to 150 Mbps.

Speaking of the connection, Owner of Mr Chippy, Andrew Pericleous said: “As a city, we are on the world stage and attract visitors every day from all over the region, the country and the world. Historically, however it has been the city’s internet connection that has limited many businesses like ours.

Joining Fastr Broadband has been a breath of fresh air and means we were able to expand our business and bring in additional revenue streams from Deliveroo, which now accounts for over 40% of our sales. Without a strong internet, we simply wouldn't be able to use their order system as well as keeping in store customers happy with speedy efficient service through our point-of-sale system, digital menu and even our credit card machines. Fastr has to be the way forward for York’s city centre businesses to operate smartly and efficiently in the digital age.”

The service is available in streets including: Blake Street, Bootham, Church Street, Claremont Terrace, Colliergate, Coney Street, Coppergate, Gillygate, Goodramgate, High Petergate, , Low Petergate, Lord Mayor’s Walk, Marygate, Stonegate, Swinegate and Parliament Street.** The build will be progressing to other streets and areas inside the city walls, which are due to be announced shortly.

Using the latest fibre optic infrastructure, the company is building the network considerately at night and following the routes of existing cables along the outsides of each property to ensure minimal impact on the heritage and historic buildings in the city, this also avoids impacting local residents, businesses and visitors. Fastr Broadband may use existing Openreach ducts and poles with some underground work where necessary.

Managed by a highly experienced team, including Director, Pete Evans who has more than 20 years’ experience in the telecoms industry, Fastr Broadband has plans to continue its roll-out in the city in the coming months.

Pete Evans, Director, Fastr Broadband, said: “These are exciting times for digital connectivity in York and we are thrilled to be at the heart of it. We are committed to delivering businesses and residents the fastest broadband they’ve never had, with download speeds more than 452 times faster than those currently available within the city walls.

Having spoken to many business owners and residents who are working and living in the city centre, we have heard their frustrations of the slow speeds and unreliable connection that is having a real impact on their daily lives, and they have simply been left behind for too long. We work closely with Digital York, Streetwork’s and Highways teams and so it’s with their approval that we are able to build considerately at their approval that we are able to build considerately at night, tidying up old cables up as we go and reusing existing boxes to connect the network, our aim is to work with residents, landlords and businesses to find the best solution for their property.

We are really excited about the possibilities this will bring for residents and businesses in York and we encourage those living and working within the city walls to register their interest, so they are among the first to know about when connections are available.”

Speaking of Fastr’s rollout in York city centre, Roy Grant, Head of ICT and Digital Services at City of York Council said: “York has always led the way in terms of its digital connectivity landscape, however one of the missing pieces of the jigsaw has been within our city walls, where the mix of historic buildings and cobbled streets make it challenging to build strong networks.

We very much welcome this private investment that expands the access to future proof connectivity and more choice of service providers within our city, connecting thousands of homes and businesses who are the lifeblood of the city’s economy, with a strong and reliable connection, without which York wouldn’t thrive within the digital world.”

Fastr Broadband will provide full fibre broadband to homes and businesses directly covering all their Internet needs. Residents and businesses within the city walls are encouraged to register their interest on Fastr Broadband’s website – www.fastrbroadband.co.uk.