Bournemouth residents get free next-gen fibre

Fibrecity, a subsidiary of dark fibre providers H20 Networks, have been offering a number of Bournemouth residents free connections if they give the company permission to connect their homes to their next-gen fibre optic network. Fibrecity distributed letters to Bournemouth addresses at the end of July, offering those who signed up within 28 days of receiving the letter a free connection to the new network.

We’ve received a copy of the letter (see below) and the promotional welcome pack which came included. The new network promises to deliver “speeds in excess of 100Mbps,” according to the promotional fanfare, which quotes Nick King, Councillor for the Littledown and Ilford ward saying “I am sure Fibrecity will bring massive rewards to all homes that sign up.” A similarly phrased statement appears on the H20 Networks blog quoting the Conservative Councillor back in May, when it was announced that Bournemouth, along with Dundee in Scotland, would become one of the two cities in the UK to first receive a next-gen dark fibre rollout.

Dark fibre is considered to be advantageous over typical cable networks, as cable connections are ran through sewer ducts, therefore removing the necessity to have to dig up the roads. The Bournemouth project is reportedly set to cost Fibrecity some £30 million – those who did not sign up during August will have to pay to be connected if they want to make use of Fibrecity’s lines.

The letter states that “connection does not take long and opting in does not obligate you to use the services that will be available”. There is no mention of Fibrecity providing any services directly to customers, although the promotional booklet mentions IPTV and hints at fixed-line international calls, and long-distance healthcare. Presumably Fibrecity and H20 Networks will accrue revenue through leasing lines out to cable-enabled ISPs like Virgin Media, and, erm, Virgin Media.

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