Fibre Community Partnerships

A Fibre Community Partnership (FCP) is where Openreach works with a local group of residents or business owners, to find a solution to bring fibre broadband to their area, especially when they are not included in any existing upgrade plans. This usually needs to be a joint funded approach, where Openreach covers the costs in line with its commercial model and the community or the Government provides the remaining gap funding required for the infrastructure build.

The Openreach Fibre Community Partnership scheme can be used in conjunction with Project Gigabit Voucher Scheme.

Businesses and residents can claim up to £4,500 against the cost of connection either individually or as part of a group project.

These vouchers can be put toward your part of the costs of your Fibre Community Partnership. So, if you have a few property owners who are interested, they could all apply for vouchers to put towards the cost.

The Project Gigabit Voucher Scheme is currently paused pending completion of BDUK’s Project Gigabit procurement activities in Leicestershire.

Current Schemes

Openreach launched 7 schemes in Leicestershire in June and July 2023, and had three months from launch to gain enough community pledges to build the full fibre infrastructure in the below in the eligible areas.

Fibre Community Partnership schemes launched these areas have reached their pledge targets and building has commenced. Openreach will have 12 months to deliver full fibre infrastructure to the below areas:

Knipton – Knipton, Croxton Kerrial, Harston

Rearsby – Rearsby, Ratcliffe on the Wreake, Thrussington

Rotherby – Rotherby

Scalford – Scalford, Wycomb, Holwell

Somerby – Somerby, Knossington, Burrough on the Hill, Pickwell

Wymondham – Wymondham, Stapleford, Edmondthorpe, Saxby

Waltham – Waltham on the Wolds, Goadby Marwood, Stonesby

 

For more information on the Fibre Community partnerships and to check your eligibility for the current schemes, follow the below link to Openreach’s website:

www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband/fibre-community-partnership/connect-my-community