Contractors are digging up roads and footpaths in Newcastle to lay cables and create a new 'affordable' fibre optic network for 40,000 homes in the city.
Grain Connect is in the process of building a new fibreoptic network that will eventually connect 40,000 homes in Newcastle. It will take until 2024 for the project to be fully completed, but its network is now live in the Heaton area.
Grain's work in Heaton, in the east of Newcastle, is almost complete, although roadworks and temporary traffic lights are set to be in place until around September 5. Over the summer, roads and lanes have been dug up in the area to fit the cables.
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Grain, who will lay cables in other parts of Newcastle between now and 2024, says the disruption is necessary so it can build its own network with dedicated cables into each home so customers do not have to share fibre optic connections with neighbours.
Grain Connect promises "fair and transparent pricing" for customers including a pledge not to raise fees during a contract and the chance to renew for the same price offered to new customers on their street.
Who is Grain Connect?
Grain Connect is a broadband provider that lays its own cables and is building its own network in the UK. Eventually, it aims to roll out full fibre broadband to 400,000 UK homes, including 40,000 in Newcastle.
"Unlike some providers, Grain builds their own dedicated fibre optic network with a unique cable direct to the home (FTTP). This means the connection is secure and immune to interference," says Grain Connect.
Grain says direct-to-home cables will mean neighbouring households do not have to share the same connection and claims its pricing is more affordable.
It adds: "Grain builds their own fibre optic network with a dedicated fibre cable direct to every premises, meaning customers do not need to share a connection with their neighbours. In addition to this, Grain believes in fair and transparent pricing, promising to never increase prices during the contract term and, at the end of the contract, customers are able to renew for the same monthly price being offered to new customers on their street."
Why is Grain Connect digging up roads in Newcastle?
The roadworks in Newcastle are necessary, Grain says, so it can lay its own fibre optic cables which can connect to individual homes.
Roland Barzegar, CFO at Grain Connect said: “This 200m investment is a huge vote of confidence for our regional roll-out phases across the UK, and we can’t wait to bring super-fast, reliable, and affordable broadband packages to local communities."
A spokesperson for Newcastle City Council said : “Work to install a high quality full fibre broadband network is being carried out across the city and is currently ongoing in the Heaton area. This involves replacing the existing underground copper network with a full fibre network that will provide homes and businesses with access to faster broadband speeds.
“The installations are carried out by independent contractors who are responsible for ensuring works are completed on time and that roads and pavements are reinstated to the required standard.”
What is Grain Connect offering for broadband customers in Newcastle?
Grain says it can offer full fibre optic "affordable" broadband that will retail at "around half the price of national providers".
CEO Roger added: "We recently introduced our Loyalty Price Promise, where at the end of their contract, we offer customers to renew on the same monthly price we advertise to new customers on their street. Showing that once you take out a contract with Grain, you will always have access to great pricing and your loyalty won’t be exploited. This is especially important to us now, with customers being impacted by the rising cost of living.”
Grain's spokesperson added: "Grain is offering full fibre broadband at around half the price of the other broadband providers in the area, without charging for line rental that people don’t need, install costs or admin fees."
Newcastle customers can check their eligibility and register their interest here.
When will Grain Connect's roadworks in Newcastle be finished?
In Heaton, Grain Connect says its project is almost complete and its network is live in the area. Potential customers are being invited to sign up.
Much of Grain Connect's roadworks in the Heaton area are set to be complete around September 5, according to Roadworks.org.
Grain Connect has also started work in Benwell, in Newcastle's west end, and will target more areas before the end of 2024, by which time 40,000 homes in Newcastle will be able to connect to its network.
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