- CityFibre’s FTTP services are now available to 4.5 million small businesses and homework premises, offering higher speeds and faster fix times.
- Expanding fiber connectivity underscores how broadband infrastructure is increasingly critical to small enterprise productivity and competitiveness.
What happened: CityFibre opens full‑fiber footprint to small businesses and home workers
UK fiber network provider CityFibre, one of the largest independent full‑fiber network builders in the UK, announced that its fibre‑to‑the‑premises (FTTP) broadband services for small business users and home workers are now available to around 4.5 million premises across its footprint. As one of the top three national broadband operators in the UK, CityFibre is committed to accelerating the country’s digital transformation by building a future‑proof, high‑capacity broadband network. The expansion includes symmetrical broadband speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps and promises “rapid fix times” of less than eight hours, as well as plans to increase the number of install points.
CityFibre is enabling its reseller partners to target small businesses, small office/home office (SoHo) operators, and the growing number of remote workers now using business‑grade connections. The company has been heavily investing in the rollout of its network, and it has committed to reaching 8 million premises by 2025. According to CityFibre, this move is designed to “bring greater choice and exceptional products and services to even more businesses across the UK.”
The increased availability is underpinned by CityFibre’s ongoing rollout of 10 Gb XGS‑PON technology, which has been deployed across its nationwide network. This upgrade not only boosts FTTP bandwidth potential but also enables a wider variety of service offerings for businesses and managed service providers (MSPs) who depend on high‑performance connectivity.
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Why it’s important
The expansion of full‑fiber broadband access for small businesses and home workers highlights a broader shift in how digital infrastructure is viewed as a foundational element of economic competitiveness. Broadband connectivity—particularly full‑fiber FTTP—delivers reliable, high‑capacity links that help firms adopt cloud services, video conferencing, e‑commerce, and real‑time collaboration tools. Independent research has shown that faster broadband can contribute to local business creation and growth, as higher speeds make digital business models more viable and cost‑effective.
For small enterprises, which often operate without dedicated IT departments, the availability of high‑speed symmetrical services reduces friction in daily operations and can lower the barrier to adopting advanced technologies. CityFibre’s emphasis on rapid installation and stronger reseller support signals recognition of this need, yet questions remain over affordability and market competition. Critics argue that while expanding infrastructure is important, the cost of full‑fiber services and the regulatory environment will significantly influence whether smaller businesses truly benefit in the long term.
The broader broadband market in the UK is undergoing pressure, with incumbent operator Openreach and other alternative networks (altnets) vying for coverage and customers. Consolidation and financial realities—including funding constraints among altnets—could affect the pace and scope of future fiber deployment.
Ultimately, the availability of advanced fiber broadband is becoming a key competitive asset for small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs). As digital demand continues to rise, access to robust, high‑capacity connectivity will be increasingly central to business resilience, innovation, and growth in an economy where online services and remote work are pervasive.
