Hereford is set to become one of the UK’s fastest cities under new plans announced.
Zzoomm, the 100% Full Fibre broadband network operator, has announced that it plans to serve over 28,000 homes and businesses in Hereford.
Offering residential services up to 2000Megabits per second (2Gigabits per second) and business services up to 10,000Mbps (10Gigabits per second), Zzoomm’s brand new full fibre broadband network dwarfs the UK’s average broadband speed of 64Mbps.
Hereford is the next stage of Zzoomm’s nationwide Full Fibre network rollout and this announcement follows on from its recent funding round secured at the end of September.
Zzoomm is nearing completion of network build in Henley-on-Thames and will soon begin this vital infrastructural development in Hereford. Commencing early 2021, the network construction will reach every property in the city and the company expects to complete work by the end of 2022.
Zzoomm was founded in December 2018 by broadband industry veteran Matthew Hare. Zzoomm is expanding its Full Fibre service to towns and suburbs nationally and aims to pass 1 million properties by 2025.
Matthew Hare, Zzoomm’s Chief Executive said, “The commencement of our network roll out in Hereford in the New Year marks the opening of a new exciting chapter for residents and businesses in the area. The people of Hereford have been stuck with old fashioned copper broadband for too long, and it’s now time for change.
We’re going to transform their experience with Zzoomm’s Full Fibre network. “The lockdown has accelerated the move to new working arrangements and boosted the demand for online entertainment and learning. Zzoomm has demonstrated that Full Fibre meets the need and will catapult Hereford into one of the best connected cities in the world.”
Zzoomm has also announced that it will be recruiting its own regional and field teams locally rather than subcontracting out the build and maintenance of the network. To support this Zzoomm will be opening a regional office in Hereford shortly.
Councillor Ellie Chowns, Cabinet Member for Environment, Economy and Skills welcomed today’s news, saying “Access to new full fibre broadband in Hereford will be a great boost bringing new jobs as well as access to the fastest broadband speeds in the country. The majority of improved broadband access in the county has been delivered as a result of Fastershire’s financial intervention.
However, the project also works to promote the county and encourage private investment, so it’s wonderful that new full fibre operators, like Zzoomm now see Hereford as an ideal place to invest.
Around 92% of properties in the county can access a superfast service and 26% can already access full fibre gigabit capable connections throughout our rural areas. With announcements like this in the city, Herefordshire is really starting to lead the way.
