Gigabit broadband network launches in Blackburn

A new network which brings gigabit broadband to Blackburn is now live.

The network was built in just nine months and is part of a plan by IX Wireless to reach another 250,000 premises in 2021 and to reach four million premises by 2025.

The programme also dedicates 20 per cent of its capacity to social causes for free.

Phil Riley, executive member for regeneration in Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "At the present time, we have got some of the fastest broadband in the country. That is the sign of the town looking up and to the future.

"We were the first borough to take up this opportunity and other local councils have followed suit. We have worked closely with the company to minimise any inconvenience throughout the process.

"The result is we have something which is a real asset for the residents and will eventually become a major asset for the businesses in the borough too."

The launch was marked with an online event attended by Oliver Dowden, secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, alongside Tahir Mohsan and Philip Walker, founder and CFO of IX Wireless which is managing the 6G Internet rollout in towns in the North of England.

The minister said: "The Blackburn gigabit network is really going to provide some of the fastest broadband on the planet to tens of thousands of people across the North West and it is all part of this government’s once in a lifetime upgrade to the digital infrastructure.

"Project Gigabit is the levelling up game changer. Northern towns and cities are getting gigabit first in a big boost for the region and it means people will be able to run a business from anywhere.

"They will be able to move to places that were previously in that box of ‘left behind’ but are now affordable and attractive places to move to and raise a family."

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