Slough and Maidenhead are poised to join the growing ranks of Gigabit Cities including neighbours Reading and Bracknell as infrastructure provider CityFibre prepares to replace more legacy copper-based networks with a pure fibre alternative.
CityFibre partner Berkshire-based IT and telecoms firm BtL Communications, will work to connect businesses in Slough and Maidenhead across the network, providing them with access to gigabit-speed internet services up to 100 times faster than the UK's average speeds.
The build will light up 38km of fibre network from Slough Trading Estate to the town centre, and a further 10km across Maidenhead.
This investment is set to contribute to Thames Valley Berkshire LEP's prediction that boosting ultrafast connectivity will generate an additional £1.2bn GVA for the region over the next five to seven years.
Nick Gray, City Development Manager at CityFibre, commented: "Berkshire is known as an economic powerhouse, and Slough in particular - a renowned hub for blue-chip businesses and start-ups - has grown its reputation as one of the UK's most tech-savvy towns in the region.
"From the latest Tech Nation Report we know that the digital technology industry contributes billions to the UK economy, creates high value jobs and attracts investment from all over the world.
"This presents excellent opportunities for Thames Valley communities. It is vitally important, therefore, that this growing region has the best connectivity possible to enable it to remain competitive on a global stage."
With customers already connected to CityFibre networks in Reading and Bracknell, BtL Communications, will be offering businesses in Slough and Maidenhead access to some of the fastest download and upload speeds in the world.
BtL MD Rob Lamden, commented: "We have been helping businesses in the region with their IT, telecoms and internet connectivity since 2001 and we are very pleased to be working with CityFibre to make a real difference to the region's digital landscape.
"Having grown up in Maidenhead and Slough from the age of nine, I am particularly motivated to bring the gigabit revolution to the towns I grew up in."