LIFE IN THE FAST LANE – THE SUNDAY TIMES – YORK’S ULTRA FIBRE OPTIC

The Sunday Times January 21, 2018 13
DAVID IONUT/ALAMY
DAVID DAVID IONUT/ALAMY
York is synonymous with
LIFE
Reprinted Reprinted from history. fromPolitics, intrigue and
February January 7 2016
12 January 21, 2018 The Sunday Times
21 2018
centuries-old bloodshed
The Sunday Times January 21, 2
The Sunday Times January 21, 2018 13
linger in every weathered
Home Cover
IN
brick of its 13th-century walls,
higgledy-piggledy medieval houses and
looming gothic 6 Minster. The 6.9m tourists
who descend on its cobbled streets every
PLUG YOURSELF THE
year lap up tales of Roman conquest,
is with
IN TO YORK
Viking York marauders ork is and is synonymous
the gruesome with fate
history. Politics, intrigue and
FAST
LIFE
of Guy Fawkes, history. the city’s Politics, infamous intrigue son. and
Yet when centuries-old it with bloodshed
centuries-old comes history.
cutting-edge bloodshed
technology, linger ye olde in York every is weathered anything but
brick
Politics, linger
of its
in
13th-century
every intrigue weathered
IN
backward-looking. Thousands of walls,
higgledy-piggledy brick medieval of its 13th-century houses and walls,
looming gothic Minster. The 6.9m tourists
who descend its cobbled streets every
THE
IN
residents of this and compact centuries-old metropolis
enjoy higgledy-piggledy the fastest internet medieval speeds houses in Britain and
bloodshed — looming up to 1Gbps gothic (one linger Minster. gigabit, in or The every 1,000 6.9m tourists
weathered
megabits, year who lap descend up per tales second).
brick of its Roman cobbled of
This
its conquest, is 100
13thcentury
THE
streets times every
quicker Viking year lap marauders than
up
standard
tales of Roman
broadband, the gruesome conquest,
and fate £3.25M
means of Guy someone Fawkes, walls, the could city’s higgledypiggledy
download infamous a son.
high-definition Viking marauders
Yet when it comes film in and
to seven the
cutting-edge seconds gruesome fate
FAST
or of
technology,
100 Guy songs Fawkes, medieval
ye
in
olde
three the
York
seconds. city’s houses infamous
is anything
One and son.
but
looming
household Yet when could
backward-looking. gothic it comes — if it
Thousands Minster.
so to desired cutting-edge —
of The
stream
200
residents technology, HD films simultaneously.
of this ye compact olde York metropolis is anything but
6.9m
enjoy backward-looking. tourists who
the fastest internet Thousands descend
LANE
This all because York has become
speeds in of the
UK’s first “Gigabit City”, the first location
Britain
on — residents up to 1Gbps of this (one compact gigabit, or metropolis
to have its a cobbled citywide “ultra streets fibre every 1,000 optic”
megabits, enjoy the per fastest second). internet This speeds is 100 times in Britain
year (UFO) broadband
quicker
lap
than
up
standard
tales network
broadband,
of Roman that delivers
lightning-fast — up to 1Gbps internet (one gigabit, speeds directly or 1,000 and to
With means a renovated someone could six-bedroom download afarm with a converted barn,
conquest, homes megabits, and businesses. per Viking second). About marauders This 15,000 is 100 times
households
period high-definition farmhouse film at in its seven heart, seconds an 18th-century roundhouse
quicker
or 100 a rich than towards
songs history standard the north
in three — it’s seconds. broadband, of York
and One and a and
can already
the gruesome
connect to this
fate
network Guy
as wildflower meadow.
the means
household site of someone the could Battle could
— if of download so desired — All stream this a just nine miles from
Fawkes, part of a £15m
Marston 200
high-definition the pilot city’s scheme
HD films Moor, simultaneously.
fought film during seven infamous between Sky,
TalkTalk and the broadband upstart seconds the centre of York.
son.
CityFibre; the or This 100 Civil is songs War all TalkTalk because — in Marston three is York planning seconds. has become to extend One 01904 the671672,
this Grange UK’s household to first a further is “Gigabit a 291-acre could 40,000 City”, — arable if it homes the so first desired over location blenkinandco.com
the — stream
next
Yet
to 200 have two HD a years.
when it comes to
films citywide simultaneously.
“ultra fibre optic”
cutting-edge
LANE
(UFO) Soon
This broadband to
is
join
all because
York technology, network in the
York
elite that has
group delivers become ye the
of
lightning-fast
turbocharged
internet
internet
speeds
hubs
directly
is Milton
to
olde Keynes. UK’s first York Vodafone “Gigabit is anything and City”, CityFibre the but first location
homes and businesses. About 15,000
announced to have a citywide last week “ultra that the fibre optic”
backward-looking. households
(UFO) broadband
towards
network
the north Thousands of York Ancient York is Britain’s first Gigabit City — with
Buckinghamshire conurbation that — loved delivers
can already connect to this network as
of and lightning-fast
£700,000
part
residents loathed in equal internet
of a £15m pilot
of
scheme
this measure speeds compact for directly its to
new-build between Sky,
TalkTalk homes and homes,
and businesses. roundabouts
the broadband About and
upstart 15,000
metropolis enjoy fastest
broadband speeds to rival South Korea. Next to get
concrete cows — will be the first of 12
CityFibre; households TalkTalk towards is planning the north to extend of York
towns and cities to get a full-fibre
internet this can to already a further speeds connect 40,000 in to homes Britain this network over —
broadband network capable of gigabit the as
hooked up? Milton Keynes. Alexandra Goss reports
up speeds, next part to two of 1Gbps in a years. £15m a partnership pilot (one scheme gigabit, that will between or Sky,
ultimately TalkTalk Soon to and benefit join the York more broadband in the than elite 1m group upstart homes
1,000 and of CityFibre; turbocharged businesses megabits,
TalkTalk across internet is Britain. per
planning hubs second). is Milton
extend York was selected in 2014 to trial the “We are one of the most ancient work with providers to create other
Keynes. CityFibre Vodafone will start and extending CityFibre its technology, in part because of its
cities in the UK, yet we are embracing solutions for them. Households can find
This this to is a further 100 times 40,000 quicker homes over the
existing announced network last week in Milton that the Keynes in relatively compact size and the council’s 21st-century technology more than out if their area is covered at talktalk.
than
Ancient York is Britain’s first Gigabit City — with
March; next two
Buckinghamshire standard the years. first connections conurbation broadband, will — be loved up open-minded attitude to trying new anywhere else,” says David Carr, leader co.uk/shop/ufo/broadband.
and The Soon running smart to
loathed grade join
in by equal the York II listed end in
measure of the elite year. for its across group Once the Knavesmire things. Its roads to the and pavements now of the city council. “Our improved
One woman who lives in York says her
a townhouse new-build of £40m turbocharged means investment someone
homes, at No 198 roundabouts internet Mount state-of-the-art hubs could
and racecourse is Milton conceal
broadband
and a lovingly more than 1,000 miles of
connectivity is helping to make York an 1Gbps connection lets her stream her
digital speeds to rival South Korea. Next to get
Vale, concrete Keynes. a infrastructure 15-minute cows Vodafone — will walk and be
is from completed,
the CityFibre first of designed 12
nearly and
full-fibre
groomed
cabling, installed using a process even more desirable place to live — it beloved cookery programmes instantly,
download a high-definition
every
the towns announced household
station, and cities blends last and
to week business
get 1860s a that full-fibre the in the called narrow trenching, in which a
garden. For artistic types,
film
features broadband Buckinghamshire
in
with
seven
network modern
seconds
conurbation capable interior of
or
gigabit
100
there’s a light-filled hooked
Ancient
studio on up?
York
Milton
is Britain’s
Keynes. Alexandra
first Gigabit
Goss
City
reports
— with
will attract investment, make this much to the delight of her hungry
town will have the ability to connect to specifically developed digger makes a enviable business destination create children, who pounce greedily on her
lightning-fast internet; residents can
— loved 75cm channel in the pavements along a better quality of life for our residents.” culinary experiments. Another was able
songs register
design. speeds, and loathed their
It in has a three partnership
interest
four equal bedrooms, seconds. at measure vodafone.co.uk/
that will One for the its ground
the
floor.
streets that are being connected.
For the most part, locals — who
to buy tickets to see Beyoncé — after
three ultimately receptions, benefit views more than 1m homes 01904 617820, savills.co.uk
household
broadband/ultrafast.
new-build homes,
and businesses could
roundabouts
across Britain. — if it so
and This means
York
broadband there is minimal disruption
concrete cows — will be the first of 12
was selected in 2014 to trial the
speeds currently pay
“We are one
to only £21.70
of the
rival a month
most ancient
South for years
work
Korea. of frustrated attempts,
with providers to create
Next she was
other
to get
Vastly improved broadband speeds and next roads two don’t years. have to be closed to lay their CityFibre ultrafast service announced — seem delighted. last week finally roundabouts able to power and through concrete the online
desired will CityFibre will start extending its technology, in part because of its
cities in the UK, yet we are embracing solutions for them. Households can find
towns do more and — cities than stream simply to get 200 a boost full-fibre HD the cables.
There
existing network in Milton Keynes in relatively compact size and the council’s 21st-century are, however, technology grumbles more than
from those purchasing out if their area queue.
productivity and the thriving local
Highly Soon experienced to join York engineers in the then dig impatiently that the Buckinghamshire
waiting to be connected, cows Jason — Robinson, will is covered be who the owns at first talktalk. a local of
films March; broadband the first network connections capable will of be gigabit
economy simultaneously.
in Milton Keynes — not to up a open-minded hooked attitude to trying up? new Milton Keynes. Alexandra Goss reports
and speeds, running a by partnership the end of the that year. will elite small group trench direct of turbocharged
to the homes or from
Once things. FROM
anywhere conurbation residents else,” inside says — David the loved city Carr, walls, and
leader who technology co.uk/shop/ufo/broadband.
12 towns repair shop, cities Intake to get a
mention
This
the
is
locals’
all because
ability to binge-watch
York
businesses Its roads that want and pavements to be connected. now won’t of the be city able council. to access “Our the improved UFO network Computers, One woman was who connected lives in York to gigabit says her
Spiral a ultimately £40m or investment Stranger benefit Things. more state-of-the-art They than will 1m homes Once internet conceal the more fibre hubs than has been is 1,000 Milton installed, miles of
because connectivity loathed it would in is equal helping involve measure to disturbing make York the an speeds 1Gbps full-fibre connection a year broadband ago as lets part her of stream a network pilot her
has also digital and have businesses become infrastructure a marked the across impact is UK’s completed, Britain. on public first nearly everything full-fibre £409,950 York cabling, is put was back installed selected as it was. using 2014 a process to trial the historic even more cobbles desirable “We— are the place one council of to live the is hoping — most it to ancient scheme beloved for cookery businesses. work programmes with “The providers UFO instantly, to create → other
services: every CityFibre household at gigabit will and start internet business extending speeds,
Keynes. Vodafone and for its new-build homes, capable of gigabit speeds, a
theits
called technology, narrow trenching, part in because which a of its will attract cities investment, the UK, make yet this we an are embracing much to the delight solutions of her for hungry
“Gigabit
them. Households can
hospital town existing will staff City”,
network have will the be ability able the first
in Milton download connect Keynes to a
in specifically relatively developed compact digger size makes and the a council’s enviable business 21st-century destination technology and create more than children, who out pounce if their greedily area on is covered her at talktalk
location CT lightning-fast scan in only
March; the to first internet; have 17 seconds,
connections a residents citywide compared
will can QUICK,
be up 75cm open-minded channel QUICK, the attitude pavements SLOW:
to along UK BROADBAND
trying new a better quality SPEEDS
anywhere of life else,” for our COMPARED
says residents.” David Carr, culinary leader experiments. co.uk/shop/ufo/broadband.
Another was able
with register the their 11 minutes interest that at this vodafone.co.uk/
takes using the streets that are being connected.
For the most part, locals — who
to buy tickets to see Beyoncé — after
“ultra standard running by the end of the year. Once things. Its roads and pavements now of the city council. “Our improved
One woman who lives in York say
broadband/ultrafast.
fibre broadband. optic” (UFO)
This means there is minimal disruption currently pay only £21.70 a month for years of frustrated attempts, she was
a £40m investment in state-of-the-art conceal more than 1,000 miles of
connectivity is helping to make York an 1Gbps connection lets her stream he
broadband Vastly improved network broadband that
Time to download a two-hour HD film
UFO connections will also pave the
speeds and roads don’t have to be Fastest closed to UK lay
broadband their speed ultrafast of 1Gbps, service enjoyed — seem by thousands delighted.
of homes finally York: able to power through the online
way
will digital for
do more infrastructure 5G mobile-phone
than simply is services
boost completed, and nearly the cables. full-fibre cabling, installed using a process There are, even however, more grumbles desirable from place those to live purchasing — it queue. beloved cookery programmes insta
delivers help
productivity every to household prepare lightning-fast cities
and the and for
thriving business a new
local internet digital
the Highly called experienced narrow trenching, engineers in then which dig a impatiently will waiting attract to investment, be connected, make and this an Jason Robinson, much who to the owns delight a local of her hungry
age — as York is discovering. “By 2020,
speeds Churchfields economy town will directly in have Milton is a the Redrow Keynes ability to homes — to not connect to to and be complete to a small by specifically July. trench The direct developed 7seconds7
to the homes digger or makes a from residents enviable inside business the city walls, destination who and technology create repair children, shop, Intake who pounce greedily on h
the volume of global internet traffic is
Homes mention lightning-fast development the locals’ internet; ability residents to binge-watch four-bedroom can businesses family 75cm home channel that want in to the be connected.
Basic pavements 10Mbps broadband along won’t speed be able a better the to government access quality the will UFO of life guarantee network for our every residents.” Computers, UK home by 2020: was culinary connected experiments. to gigabit
over
expected to be 95 times that of 2005, and
Another was
businesses.
connected Green Spiral register or Hammerton, Stranger their devices interest About Things. will a village outnumber at 15,000 They vodafone.co.uk/
will pictured the starts Once at the £479,950. streets fibre has that been are installed, being connected. because it would For the involve most disturbing part, locals the — who speeds a year ago to buy as part tickets of a pilot to see Beyoncé — after
households world’s midway also broadband/ultrafast.
have population between a marked
towards York by impact nearly and on
the seven public
north Some to houses everything have This studies means is put back there as is it minimal was. disruption historic cobbles currently — the pay council only is £21.70 hoping a to month scheme for for businesses. years of frustrated “The UFO attempts, 25→
she wa
one,” Harrogate. services: Vastly says at improved Richard It gigabit will comprise Sinclair, internet broadband general speeds, to speeds make the most and of superfast
minutes
roads don’t have to be closed to lay their ultrafast service — seem delighted. finally able to power through the on
of manager 86 hospital two- York to staff for four-bedroom can TalkTalk’s will already able ultra to connect download fibre optic broadband a to
will do more than simply boost
speeds. the cables.
There are, however, grumbles from those purchasing queue.
broadband. properties, CT scan in only with “Broadband 17 several seconds, set needs compared to be
this 01423 586905, QUICK, redrow.co.uk QUICK, SLOW: Time to UK download BROADBAND 100 songs SPEEDS COMPARED
with
productivity network
the 11 minutes
and as the part
that
thriving of a
this takes
local £15m
treated as the ‘fourth utility’, as fixed using
Highly experienced engineers then dig impatiently waiting to be connected, and Jason Robinson, who owns a loca
Fastest UK broadband speed of 1Gbps
pilot internet standard economy scheme traffic broadband. in Milton in the between UK Keynes is set to — Sky, not double to a small trench direct to the homes or from residents inside the city walls, who technology repair shop, Intake
Time to download a two-hour HD film
every mention UFO two connections the years. locals’ will ability also pave to binge-watch
the
businesses that want to be connected. won’t be able to access the UFO network Computers, was connected to gigab
TalkTalk Fastest UK broadband speed of 1Gbps, enjoyed by thousands of homes in York:
way Spiral “Our for or digital 5G Stranger mobile-phone
and infrastructure the Things. broadband
services They must and be will able Once the fibre has been
3seconds
installed,
because it would involve disturbing the speeds a year ago as part of a pilot
to
upstart help
support
also to have prepare
this rapid
CityFibre; a marked cities
increase
impact for TalkTalk a new
in
on digital
traffic,
public is everything
FROM
is put back Basic 10Mbps it was.
broadband speed historic cobbles — the council is hoping to scheme for businesses. “The UFO
providing coverage with sufficient
age services: — as York at gigabit is discovering. internet “By speeds, 2020,
7seconds7
planning capacity to ensure
the hospital volume staff of to global extend that data
will be internet this can
able to traffic to flow a at
download is a £198,000
volume, speed and reliability required
Basic 10Mbps broadband speed the government will guarantee every UK home by 2020:
over
further expected
CT scan in
to 40,000 only
be 95
17
times
seconds, homes that of over compared
2005, the and
QUICK, QUICK, SLOW: UK BROADBAND 8
minutes
to meet the demands of modern life.”
SPEEDS These COMPARED
times may vary depending on type of connection and device used. Source: TalkTalk
connected devices will outnumber the
with the 11 minutes that this takes using
world’s population by nearly seven to
25
one,” standard says Richard broadband. Sinclair, general
Time to download a two-hour HD film
minutes
BUSINESS

£3.25M
verted barn,
y roundhouse
r meadow.
miles from
rk.
,
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700,000
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FROM
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FROM
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,
o.uk
The Sunday Times
partnership that will ultimately
benefit more than 1m homes
and businesses across Britain.
CityFibre will start
extending its existing network
in Milton Keynes in March;
the first connections will be up
and running by the end of the
year. Once a £40m investment
in state-of-the-art digital
infrastructure is completed,
nearly every household and
business in the town will
have the ability to connect
to lightning-fast internet;
residents can register their
interest at vodafone.co.uk/
broadband/ultrafast.
Vastly improved broadband
speeds will do more than
simply boost productivity and
the thriving local economy
in Milton Keynes — not to
mention the locals’ ability
to binge-watch Spiral or
Stranger Things. They will
also have a marked impact
on public services: at gigabit
internet speeds, hospital staff
will be able to download a
CT scan in only 17 seconds,
compared with the 11 minutes
that this takes using standard
broadband.
UFO connections will also
pave the way for 5G mobilephone
services and help to
prepare cities for a new digital
age — as York is discovering.
“By 2020, the volume of
global internet traffic is
expected to be 95 times
that of 2005, and connected
devices will outnumber the
world’s population by nearly
seven to one,” says Richard
Sinclair, general manager for
TalkTalk’s ultra fibre optic
broadband. “Broadband needs
to be treated as the ‘fourth
DAVID IONUT/ALAMY
LIFE
utility’, as fixed internet traffic
The Sunday Times January 21, 2018 13
York is synonymous with
history. Politics, intrigue and
centuries-old bloodshed
linger in every weathered
in the UK is set to double
brick of its 13th-century walls,
higgledy-piggledy medieval houses and
looming gothic Minster. The 6.9m tourists
who every descend on its two cobbled streets years. IN
every
year lap up tales of Roman conquest,
Viking marauders and the gruesome fate
of Guy Fawkes, “Our the city’s digital infamous son. infrastructure THE
FAST
Yet when it comes to cutting-edge
technology, ye olde York is anything but
must be able to support
backward-looking. Thousands of
residents of this compact metropolis
enjoy this the fastest rapid internet speeds increase Britain in traffic,
— up to 1Gbps (one gigabit, or 1,000
megabits, per second). This is 100 times
quicker providing than standard broadband, coverage and with
means someone could download a
high-definition film in seven seconds
or
sufficient
100 songs in three seconds.
capacity
One
to ensure
household could — if it so desired — stream
200
that
HD films simultaneously.
data can flow
LANE
at the to create other solutions for
This is all because York has become the
UK’s first “Gigabit City”, the first location
to have volume, a citywide “ultra fibre speed optic” and reliability them. Households can find
(UFO) broadband network that delivers
lightning-fast internet speeds directly to
homes required and businesses. About to 15,000 meet the demands out if their area is covered
households towards the north of York
can already connect to this network as
part
of
of a £15m
modern
pilot scheme between
life.”
Sky,
at talktalk. co.uk/shop/ufo/
TalkTalk and the broadband upstart
CityFibre; York TalkTalk is planning was to extend selected in 2014 broadband.
this to a further 40,000 homes over the
next two years.
to Soon to trial join York in the elite technology, group in One woman who lives
of turbocharged internet hubs is Milton
Keynes. Vodafone and CityFibre
announced part last because week that the of its Ancient relatively York is Britain’s in York first says Gigabit her 1Gbps City — with
Buckinghamshire conurbation — loved
and loathed in equal measure for its
compact size and
new-build homes, roundabouts and broadband the council’s speeds connection to rival South lets her Korea. stream Next her to get
concrete cows — will be the first of 12
towns open-minded and cities to get a full-fibre attitude
broadband network capable of gigabit hooked
to
up? Milton
beloved
Keynes.
cookery
Alexandra
programmes
Goss reports
speeds, a partnership that will
ultimately trying benefit more new than 1m things. homes Its roads instantly, much to the delight
and businesses across Britain.
York was selected in 2014 to trial the “We are one of the most ancient work with providers to create other
CityFibre will start extending its technology, in part because of its
cities in the UK, yet we are embracing solutions for them. Households can find
existing and network pavements in Milton Keynes in now relatively conceal
compact size and the council’s of 21st-century her technology hungry more than children, out if their area is covered at talktalk.
March; the first connections will be up open-minded attitude to trying new anywhere else,” says David Carr, leader co.uk/shop/ufo/broadband.
and running by the end of the year. Once things. Its roads and pavements now of the city council. “Our improved
One woman who lives in York says her
more than 1,000 miles of who pounce greedily on her
a £40m investment in state-of-the-art conceal more than 1,000 miles of
connectivity is helping to make York an 1Gbps connection lets her stream her
digital infrastructure is completed, nearly full-fibre cabling, using a process even more desirable place to live — it beloved cookery programmes instantly,
every full-fibre household and business cabling, the called installed
narrow trenching, in which a culinary will attract investment, experiments. make this an much to Another
delight of hungry
town will have the ability to connect to specifically developed digger makes a enviable business destination and create children, who pounce greedily on her
lightning-fast internet; residents can 75cm channel in the pavements along a better quality of life for our residents.” culinary experiments. Another was able
register using their interest a at process vodafone.co.uk/ called
the streets that are being connected. was For the able most part, to locals buy — who tickets to buy tickets to see Beyoncé — after
broadband/ultrafast.
This means there is minimal disruption currently pay only £21.70 a month for
of frustrated attempts, she was
Vastly improved broadband speeds and roads don’t have to be closed to lay their ultrafast service seem delighted. finally able to power through the online
will
narrow
do more than simply
trenching,
boost
the cables. in which a Beyoncé There are, however, — grumbles after from those years purchasing of queue.
productivity and the thriving local
Highly experienced engineers then dig impatiently waiting to be connected, and Jason Robinson, who owns a local
economy
specifically
in Milton Keynes — not to
developed
a small trench direct
digger
to the homes or
frustrated attempts, from residents inside the city walls, who technology
she was
repair shop, Intake
mention the locals’ ability to binge-watch businesses that want to be connected. won’t be able to access the UFO network Computers, was connected to gigabit
Spiral or Stranger Things. They will Once the fibre has been installed,
because it would involve disturbing the speeds a year ago as part of a pilot
also makes have a marked impact a 75cm on public channel everything is put in back as the it was. finally historic cobbles able — the council to is hoping power to scheme through
for businesses. “The UFO →
services: at gigabit internet speeds,
hospital staff will be able to download a
CT pavements scan in only 17 seconds, compared along QUICK, the streets
QUICK, SLOW: UK BROADBAND the online SPEEDS purchasing COMPARED queue.
with the 11 minutes that this takes using
standard broadband.
that Time to download a two-hour HD film
UFO connections
are
will
being
also pave the
connected. Jason Robinson, who owns
Fastest UK broadband speed of 1Gbps, enjoyed by thousands of homes in York:
way for 5G mobile-phone services and
help This to prepare means cities for a new digital there is minimal
age — as York is discovering. “By 2020,
7seconds7
a local technology repair
the volume of global internet traffic is
Basic 10Mbps broadband speed the government will guarantee every UK home by 2020:
over
expected disruption to be 95 times that of and 2005, and roads don’t shop, Intake Computers,
connected devices will outnumber the
world’s population by nearly seven to
25
one,” have says Richard to Sinclair, be general closed to lay the was connected to gigabit
minutes
manager for TalkTalk’s ultra fibre optic
broadband. “Broadband needs to be
Time to download 100 songs
cables.
speeds a year ago as part of a
treated as the ‘fourth utility’, as fixed
Fastest UK broadband speed of 1Gbps
internet traffic in the UK is set to double
every two Highly years. experienced
“Our digital infrastructure must be able
3 pilot scheme for businesses.
3seconds
to support this rapid increase in traffic,
Basic 10Mbps broadband speed
providing engineers coverage with sufficient then dig a small “The UFO broadband has
capacity to ensure that data can flow at
the volume, speed and reliability required
over 8
minutes
to meet the demands of modern life.”
These times may vary depending on type of connection and device used. Source: TalkTalk
trench direct to the homes or
businesses that want to be
connected. Once the fibre has
been installed, everything is
put back as it was.
“We are one of the most
ancient cities in the UK,
yet we are embracing 21stcentury
technology more
than anywhere else,” says
David Carr, leader of the
city council. “Our improved
connectivity is helping to
make York an even more
desirable place to live — it
will attract investment, make
this an enviable business
destination and create a
better quality of life for our
residents.”
For the most part, locals —
who currently pay only £21.70
a month for their ultrafast
service — seem delighted.
There are, however, grumbles
from those impatiently
January 21 2018
waiting to be connected,
and from residents inside
the city walls, who won’t
be able to access the UFO
network because it would
involve disturbing the historic
cobbles — the council is
hoping to work with providers
revolutionised my company,”
says Robinson, 28. “My
repair times have been slashed
because updates now install
so quickly, and I can take on a
lot more work. I was with BT
before, and I wasn’t getting a
hundredth of the speeds I’m
now getting.”
York is also using its new
and improved broadband
infrastructure to supply
gigabit internet speeds to
more than 400 public-sector
sites, including schools,
the hospital, libraries and
council offices. And there is
free superfast wi-fi — swift
enough to allow users to
stream programmes on BBC
iPlayer — throughout the city.
“Tourism is so important to
York’s economy, and we now
advertise our free public wi-fi
in Chinese airports,” says
Roy Grant, head of ICT for

The Sunday Times
Home Cover
Household internet use by region
volume
better to
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advent o
The c
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say it wi
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While
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reliable
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York and Harrogate councils.
“When it comes to technology,
how technology and arts can
be combined to provide new
14 January 21, 2018 The Sunday Times
York is now being mentioned insights The into ultra-fast our cities, broadband our
in Home the same Cover breath as South landscapes has revolutionised and our lives”. my
Korea — how wonderful is
2006 While
computer-repair
York may be
company
a
2017
— updates install so quickly
London 63% pioneer, residents in many
94%
other parts of the country
→ broadband has revolutionised my
Southeast England 66% 94%
aren’t company,” so lucky. says Robinson, Although 28. “My repair
The ultra-fast broadband
times have been slashed because updates
now install so quickly, and I can take on
has Yorkshire revolutionised and the my
Humber 52% several broadband providers
90%
a lot more work. I was with BT before, and
computer-repair are running I wasn’t getting schemes a hundredth to of the speeds
Scotland
company
48% I’m now getting.”
90%
— updates install so quickly improve York services is also using its in new specific and improved
Northwest England
broadband infrastructure to supply
54% places gigabit — internet and you speeds can to more get than 400
89%
public-sector sites, including schools, the
that?”
→ broadband has revolutionised my faster
hospital,
speeds
libraries
if you’re
and council
willing
offices. And
company,” West says Midlands Robinson, 28. “My repair
53% 89%
there is free superfast wi-fi — swift enough
times
The
have
council
been slashed
has
because
also
updates
won to pay a lot more — in general
to allow users to stream programmes on
£2.85m now install so of quickly, government and I can take funding on
BBC iPlayer — throughout the city.
East England 64% Britain’s internet infrastructure
89%
a lot more work. I was with BT before, and
“Tourism is so important to York’s
to I wasn’t develop getting a technology hundredth of the that speeds is lamentably economy, and we bad. now advertise our free
I’m now public wi-fi in Chinese airports,” says
will Southwest getting.”
reduce congestion England 59% 88%
York is also using its new and improved on Most Roy Grant, broadband head of ICT for runs York and on
broadband infrastructure to supply
Harrogate councils. “When it comes to
the roads. Beacons on traffic a “fibre technology, to cabinet” York is now being system, mentioned
gigabit East internet Midlands 55% 87%
speeds to more than 400
in the same breath as South Korea — how
lights public-sector will sites, use including the new schools, fibre the which wonderful means is that?” the last stretch,
hospital,
The council has also won £2.85m of
network Wales
libraries and council offices. And
52% 84%
there is free superfast to monitor wi-fi — swift the enough volume to properties, uses copper
government funding to develop
to allow users to stream programmes on
of cars, meaning lights can wires
technology
that slow
that will
broadband
reduce congestion
BBC iPlayer Northeast — throughout England the city.
54%
on the roads. Beacons on traffic lights will
82%
react “Tourism better is so to important traffic to York’s flows. down use — the hence new fibre network that maddening
to monitor the
economy, and we now advertise our free
The public Source: data wi-fi in can ONS Chinese also airports,” be used says to buffering wheel. If you are
Roy Grant, head of ICT for York and
design Harrogate junctions, councils. “When plan it comes road to within a few hundred yards of So-called full-fibre lines —
improvements
technology, York is now
and
being
even
mentioned
a BT street cabinet, you will such as those in York, or
in the same breath as South Korea — how
prepare wonderful is for that?” the advent of probably get superfast speeds, the ones set to be installed
The council has also won £2.85m of
driverless government funding vehicles. to develop but the further away you are, in Milton Keynes — are
technology that will reduce congestion
The city is so plugged in the slower your internet is significantly more reliable
on the roads. Beacons on traffic lights will
that use the it new is fibre launching network to a monitor biennial the likely to be. Rural areas have than their copper predecessors
media arts festival, York
Mediale, this autumn. The
organisers say it will “drive
a global conversation about
it worst of all, which is why
some frustrated residents have
taken matters into their own
hands.
and offer vastly improved
internet speeds without the
need for line rental. Yet only
3% of premises in the UK can
connect to a full-fibre line,
Portugal Latvia 86.1%
85.2%
a figure that lags far behind
that of almost every other
Lithuania 81.4%
Iceland developed country in the
62.8%
Spain 62.8%
world.
Sweden 60.8%
Romania 59.7%
Denmark 57.8%
Slovakia 53.7%
Luxembourg 51.5%
Cyprus 51.2%
Slovania 50.4%
Estonia 48.5%
Norway 46.3%
Finland 37.5%
Bulgaria 37.1%
Czech Republic 35%
Holland 31.2%
Switzerland 28.6%
Hungary 24%
EU28 23.7%
France 20.8%
Italy 18.8%
Poland 16.5%
Malta 16%
Croatia 15.6%
Austria 7.8%
Germany 7.1%
Ireland 5.5%
United Kingdom 1.8%
Belgium 0.6%
Greece 0.4%
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
January 21 2018
volume of cars, meaning lights can react
better to traffic flows. The data can also
be used to design junctions, plan road
improvements and even prepare for the
advent of driverless vehicles.
The city is so plugged in that it is
launching a biennial media arts festival,
York Mediale, this autumn. The organisers
say it will “drive a global conversation
about how technology and arts can be
combined to provide new insights into our
cities, our landscapes and our lives”.
While York may be a pioneer, residents
in many other parts of the country aren’t
so lucky. Although several broadband
providers are running schemes to
improve services in specific places — and
you can get faster speeds if you’re willing
to pay a lot more — in general Britain’s
internet infrastructure is lamentably bad.
Most broadband runs on a “fibre to
cabinet” system, which means the last
stretch, to properties, uses copper wires
that slow broadband down — hence that
maddening buffering wheel. If you are
within a few hundred yards of a BT street
cabinet, you will probably get superfast
speeds, but the further away you are, the
slower your internet is likely to be. Rural
areas have it worst of all, which is why
some frustrated residents have taken
Countless matters into studies their own have hands (see shown page 16).
that poor
So-called
internet
full-fibre
connections
lines — such as those
in York, or the ones set to be installed in
negatively Milton Keynes affect — are significantly a home’s more
reliable than their copper predecessors
value and and offer vastly its ability improved to internet sell; speeds yet
without the need for line rental. Yet only
Ofcom, communications
3% of premises in the UK can connect
watchdog, to a full-fibre says line, a about figure that 1.1m lags far
UK properties are unable to
get broadband speeds of at
least 10Mbps, the minimum
necessary to cope with
modern internet requirements,
from downloading a film to
streaming music and watching
your favourite shows.
“Broadband speed has
Households with internet access in Great Britain
0% 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014
2016
Data for June 2016. The figure for the UK has now increased to about 3%
Source: European Commission
Figures before 2005 are for UK; after 2005 are for GB only
Source: ONS

The Sunday Times
Household internet use by region
2006 2017
London 63% 94%
Southeast England 66% 94%
Yorkshire and the Humber 52% 90%
Scotland 48% 90%
Northwest England 54% 89%
West Midlands 53% 89%
East England 64% 89%
Southwest England 59% 88%
East Midlands 55% 87%
Wales 52% 84%
Northeast England 54% 82%
January 21 2018
Martin, Suffolk, cooed in
wonder. One street in the
village has Britain’s slowest
broadband, according to the
comparison site Uswitch.com.
It would take almost eight
hours to download a 45-minute
HD TV programme, and more
than 21 for a two-hour HD
film.
“Sometimes I think that I’m
better off sending a message
by carrier pigeon,” he said.
Along with millions of others,
he can only hope that one day,
like the Romans, or medieval
torture methods, buffering will
become a thing of the past.
Source: ONS
eaning lights can react
become one of the most
ows. The data can also
junctions,
important
plan
factors
road
buyers
d even
look
prepare
at,” says
for
Tom
the
Hudson,
ess vehicles.
founding partner of the
lugged
property
in that
search
it is
firm Middleton
nial media
Advisors.
arts festival,
“Seven or eight
s autumn. years The ago, organisers a client said they
global wouldn’t conversation buy a house unless
ology it and had arts a decent can be mobile-phone
vide new signal. insights At the into time, our I thought
Portugal 86.1%
apes and they our were lives”. being ridiculous,
Latvia 85.2%
y be a but pioneer, Lithuania nobody residents would 81.4% buy a house
rts of the without Iceland
country a signal 62.8%
aren’t now, and it’s
Spain 62.8%
h several the same broadband with broadband.
Sweden 60.8%
ning schemes Would Romaniait stop 59.7% people moving
in specific to
Denmark
an area? places If
57.8%
— there and wasn’t a
Slovakia 53.7%
r speeds solution,
Luxembourg if you’re it definitely willing 51.5%
would.”
— in general Cyprus The Britain’s government 51.2% confirmed
Slovania 50.4%
cture last is lamentably month that access bad. to highspeed
on Norwaya broadband “fibre 46.3% to of at least
Estonia 48.5%
nd runs
which 10Mbps means
Finland will the last be 37.5% made a legal
Bulgaria 37.1%
rties, uses right copper for everyone wires in the UK
Czech Republic 35%
and down by Holland 2020. — hence There 31.2% that are concerns,
ring wheel. though, Switzerland
If that you the 28.6%
are announcement
Hungary 24%
dred yards is a fudge, of a BT after street it was revealed
EU28 23.7%
probably that France get the move superfast 20.8% will simply
urther give away
Italypeople you are, the
18.8%
right the to ask
Poland 16.5%
net is for likely high-speed to be. Rural
Malta 16%
broadband in
st of all, two Croatia which years’ is time, why 15.6% rather than
Austria
residents guaranteeing have taken
7.8%
a connection by
Germany 7.1%
r own hands that Ireland point. (see page 16).
5.5%
ibre lines United When — such Kingdom told as of 1.8% those York’s
Belgium 0.6%
es set lightning-fast to be installed internet speeds,
Greece 0.4%
are significantly one resident more of Trimley St
ir copper Source: predecessors
European Commission
mproved internet speeds
Co. tel: 020 3773 9320.
for line rental. Yet only
UFO invasion
Milton Keynes
will be the next
town to benefit
from ultra fibre
Households with internet access in Great Britain
optic broadband,
10%
which will allow
most residents
to benefit from
gigabit speeds
behind that of almost every other
developed country in the world.
Countless studies have shown 2014
that poor
internet connections negatively affect
a home’s value and its ability to sell; yet
Ofcom, the communications watchdog,
says about 1.1m UK properties are unable
to get broadband speeds of at least
Data for June 2016. The figure for the UK has now increased to about 3%
Figures before 2005 are for UK; after 2005 are for GB only
Source: ONS
The supply of the material by The Publisher does not constitute or imply any endorsement or sponsorship of any product, service, company or organisation. Material may not be edited, altered, photocopied, electronically scanned or otherwise
dealt in without the written permission of The Publisher. Times Newspapers Limited, News UK & Ireland Ltd, 1 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9GF email: enquiries@newssyndication.com. Reprinted with permission by Media Licensing
100%
90%
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70%
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50%
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