British telecom service providers EE and Three UK has signed CityFibre to deploy dark fiber backhaul connections to FTTT across both operators’ networks.
CityFibre’s initial 60 km project for the mobile sites in Hull is the first step in an anticipated larger roll out, potentially up to 200 km.
This will be UK’s first dark fiber backhaul connections to mobile masts. The main aim is to improve network performance and cost efficiency. Dark Fiber-to-the-Tower solutions for mobile network operators are well established in North America and Continental Europe.
In Kingston-upon-Hull, CityFibre is in the process of overhauling MBNL’s network, providing both EE and Three UK with the ability to deploy advanced network technology features. Dark fiber solution could be rolled out to further towns and cities in the UK.
Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside EE and Three UK, who together carry about 75 percent of the data used by UK mobile users. The deployment in Hull is a critical first step in promoting the adoption of dark fiber solutions for FTTT in the UK market.”
