Market-town residents to see huge benefits from world-class connectivity

19 December 2012 - Gigaclear, provider of ultrafast fibre optic broadband to communities in rural areas, has begun construction of a new all-fibre network in the market town of Uppingham. The network will enable Rutland Telecom, a subsidiary of Gigaclear, to deliver one of the fastest broadband services in the country. The service will initially cover the North East quarter of Uppingham including 'The Beeches' and Uppingham Gate business park. This new network will transform residents' ability to work, play and communicate.

Ron Simpson, secretary of the community partnership Uppingham First and coordinator of the town's Neighbourhood Forum explains, "Uppingham First and the Forum have been working with Gigaclear and Rutland Telecom for over 12 months to bring about today's announcement. The new fibre to the premises (FTTP) network will help ensure Uppingham's future as one of the UK's most desirable market towns in which to live, work, play and visit. Particularly attractive to the local tax payer is the fact that the network will be built using only private investments. The Uppingham First partnership expects the new ultrafast broadband network in the town to bring substantial economic and social benefits to this vibrant community."

Construction of the network is expected to take three months. Once complete, Gigaclear will look to extend the network into other parts of Uppingham and surrounding areas based on demand.

Once the network has been built, subscribers to the ultrafast broadband service pay just £37 per month for 1000Mbps uploads and downloads. For many Rutland Telecom customers the ability to then take advantage of feature-rich and more cost-effective internet telephony and entertainment services allows them to save money. Also, they will be able to spend less time travelling or commuting as they can more easily and reliably work from home. Some Uppingham residents have taken an opportunity to check out speed tests from other Gigaclear networks and explore additional uses of the network including home security and remote care.

Shane James, head of sales and marketing at Rutland Telecom said "This is an exciting time for Uppingham, demand and expectations are high. Residents will receive connectivity to rival that of almost any other community in the world. We have been working closely with Uppingham First to ensure the whole community benefits."

ENDS

About Rutland Telecom
Rutland Telecom, a subsidiary of Gigaclear is a full function service provider offering broadband, telephony, and ICT services to residents and businesses across Rutland. Rutland Telecom was founded in 2002 and serves more than 500 residential and business customers.

About Gigaclear
Gigaclear is a privately funded communications operator dedicated to building and operating Ultrafast fibre to the premises broadband networks in rural communities. With pure fibre connectivity to every property in a community, delivering open, ultrafast broadband access, customers have complete control over the choice of services they wish to use. The company was founded in December 2010 by its chief executive, Matthew Hare. For further information about qualifying communities see www.gigaclear.com/can-i-get-it

PR Contacts:
Shane James
Rutland Telecom
+ 44 (0) 1572 858 858
shane@rutlandtelecom.co.uk

Joe Frost
Gigaclear Sales & Marketing Director
+44 (0) 7887 955093
joe.frost@gigaclear.com

Jane Harris
Alexander PR
+44 (0) 7793 917172
Jane@alexander-pr.co.uk

Jillian Alexander
Alexander PR
+44 (0) 7946 602484
Jillian@alexander-pr.co.uk