Rural broadband provider Quickline’s new in-house Build Team is now active in communities, laying the foundations to connect them to its game-changing fibre network.
The newly-recruited infrastructure team has begun its first projects, undertaking preparatory work before fibre cables are installed.
The team is responsible for building the fibre networks that connect rural communities to Quickline’s fast, reliable broadband and will play a crucial role in the company’s accelerated rollout programme throughout 2023 and beyond.
Recruitment for the team began in October last year as East Yorkshire-based Quickline invested to bolster its build capability, improving capacity and flexibility to roll out its gigabit capable broadband network to even more rural communities.
The team comprises of a variety of roles, from civils operatives and cablers to splicers.
Lee Allison, Quickline’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “This is a significant investment by Quickline, which reflects our commitment to the rollout of full fibre to some of the most remote communities – giving them the digital life they deserve.
“We’re also proud to be supporting and investing in the local economy through the creation of these roles, which offer great development opportunities within the Quickline business.”
The Build Team is now operating at sites in South Ferriby, near Barton-upon-Humber in North Lincolnshire, and Tealby and North Willingham, near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire, where a period of test, rod and roping (TRR) is underway.
All the homes and businesses across these communities will have access to Quickline’s full fibre broadband later this year. The Quickline service currently delivers speeds of up to 1 Gbps, compared to the average of just 30 to 50 Mbps from other providers in those areas.
Quickline’s Build Team will play an integral part in the company’s 2023 fibre rollout plan which will reach over 55,000 homes and businesses this year, using XGS-PON technology that will ultimately be capable of bringing broadband speeds of 10 Gbps.
This follows a strong 2022 which saw more than 10,000 homes and businesses in over 20 communities receive access to full fibre broadband.
With a vision to tackle rural internet inequality across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Quickline has already passed 300,000 premises with its existing next generation fixed wireless broadband network and is rapidly blending that with a full fibre network creating the UK’s only gigabit hybrid network.
Chris Akrill, Quickline’s Head of Fibre Operations, said: “Our dedicated in-house Build Team is a vital addition to the Quickline business, providing us with the resources to push on at speed with our full fibre rollout programme.
“We were delighted with the calibre of applicants we received during the recruitment process and it’s fantastic to be in the position to send this talented group of people out into rural communities across our network area.
“We have a busy schedule over the coming months as we continue to expand our network of full fibre infrastructure to some of the most remote corners of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and our internal team will play a key role in our accelerated rollout.”.
The Build Team brings together highly-qualified tradespeople with a wealth of knowledge and experience from a variety of industries and backgrounds.
New Build Team member Dave Liversedge has joined Quickline as a Cable Operative, bringing skills and experience from a career in the army, followed by more than a decade working in the telecoms industry.
He said: “It’s great to get out into the community with the team and start work on these new builds.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of Quickline and I’m looking forward to helping to deliver our full fibre broadband to new rural communities.”
Quickline is committed to ensuring people living locally are kept informed of the work being undertaken.
The company’s community engagement team will be visiting the areas where work is taking place over coming weeks and months to host drop-in sessions and answer any questions from residents.