Full fiber builder Netomnia, which aims to make their 10Gbps capable Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP network available to 1 million UK premises by 2024 (here and here), has commenced survey and other preparatory to work on their £54m rollout across Stockton-on-Tees (Durham).
The operator, which is being supported by civil engineering firms Light Source and MAP Group (UK), has previously confirmed that they’ve committed an initial investment of £150m to cover their first 14 towns (c.500,000 premises), with work having already begun in quite a few of those (Peterlee, Spennymoor and Durham etc.).
By comparison, the inclusion of 50,000 premises in Stockton was only revealed a couple of months ago, although at the time there wasn’t a lot of information available about the local rollout. We now understand that the local build is estimated to take between 2 and 3 years to complete, although the first customers should be able to connect at some point later this summer.
Because of this investment, MAP will take on 100 more people in Stockton-on-Tees and the north-east, training them in technical skills and enabling them to gain qualifications they never would have had before.
Jeremy Chelot, Netomnia founder and CEO, said:
“Full fibre is vital to the development of Stockton-on-Tees’ regeneration. Private investment from Netomnia into a hyperfast network will boost local economies by providing jobs, making property more saleable and enabling a much more attractive base for businesses, as well as providing spectacular entertainment and gaming opportunities.”
Customers in these locations can typically expect to pay from £22 per month (currently discounted to £20) on an 18-month term for their unlimited 50Mbps package, which rises to £50 if you want their top 900Mbps plan. This is very cheap and clearly intended to help grow take-up. A static IP address, Mesh WiFi and phone service are optional.
However, Netomnia will face competition from several gigabit-capable broadband rivals in Stockton. The town is already largely covered by Virgin Media’s network, while Openreach also has some FTTP and the town is also listed as being part of CityFibre’s rollout plan. Needless to say, much may depend upon whether the ISP can build faster than some of their local competitors.
