Quickline Communications has won a £60m government contract as part of the Project Gigabit scheme.
Covering 28k properties across rural West Yorkshire and York, it will offer gigabit-capable full fibre broadband. Further investment from the East Yorkshire firm will connect an additional 58k premises in the same region.
Communities to be connected include those surrounding Selby, York, Bradford, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield, Harrogate, Skipton, Ripon, Keighley, Calder Valley, Stamford Bridge and Pocklington.
“We are extremely proud to be chosen as a delivery partner to the government for rural connectivity,” said Sean Royce, CEO at Quickline.
“Our mission at Quickline is to connect the unconnected to a world of possibilities by building a fast and reliable broadband network for rural communities.
“Project Gigabit is transformational and we are thrilled to play our part in changing the lives of people living in rural West Yorkshire, alongside parts of North and East Yorkshire.
“But this is about more than just broadband; we’re passionate about supporting rural communities, driving economic growth, creating jobs and helping to build the future digital workforce.”
Quickline has committed to an “extensive” social values programme to “educate, enrich and enhance” the region by generating jobs and providing training, including creating apprenticeships and accredited training courses.
This will include new partnerships with organisations such as STEM Learning, Tech She Can and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
“We’re thrilled to see gigabit-capable internet connections start to roll out to rural and hard-to-reach homes and businesses in West Yorkshire,” added Mandy Ridyard, Business Advisor to the Mayor of West Yorkshire.
“Access to fast and reliable internet is vital for our businesses to thrive, for our children to be educated, and for our people to be informed and connected.”
Quickline is majority owned by Northleaf Capital Partners, a Toronto-headquartered global private markets investment firm.
