A NEW broadband provider has announced it is rolling out its one-gigabit full-fibre service across Keighley.

Brsk says the provision is already live in Cottingley, where first customers have been connected.

And installation of the network is now underway for homes and businesses in the Keighley district, with services expected to start going live late next month.

Over 25,000 customers in areas including Utley, Braithwaite, Oakworth, Long Lee, Ingrow, Exley Head and Thwaites could benefit.

Brsk says it will be installing new fibre cables throughout the area using existing poles and underground ducts, minimising disruption to the community.

It adds that households will be informed by letter-drop if works are going to affect their street.

The company is also engaging with community leaders and councillors to inform people about the project.

More details can be found at brsk.co.uk/locations.

Brsk says once work has taken place, residents wishing to be connected to a broadband service will be able to place an order for fibre cable to be installed from the street into their property. A free initial trial will be available.

Giorgio Iovino, founder and chief executive officer of Brsk, said: “Upgrading to one-gigabit broadband will allow customers in Keighley to stream 4k media across multiple devices at the same time, while members of the household can browse, take video calls and play games without impacting anyone else’s online experience.

“The internet has a transformative impact on people’s lives.

“This is an opportunity to free Keighley from long-term contracts, poor service and unreliable broadband.”

Keighley MP, Robbie Moore, welcomes the move.

He said: “The Keighley constituency has been under-served by high-street broadband operators for some time now – and it’s clear in this new era of home working that fast internet connectivity is vital in supporting our community to secure flexible and competitive jobs.

“As part of my plan to bring ultrafast broadband to Keighley, I look forward to working closely with brsk to see that Keighley gets the great service it deserves and needs as we build back better from the Covid pandemic.”

Brsk says full-fibre uses fibre-optic cables, which provide faster speeds and a more-reliable service than copper-based networks.

It adds that the UK has one of the lowest rates of access to full-fibre internet in Europe, primarily due to a reliance on part-copper cabling rather than high-speed fibre optic – and because of this suffers from lower-than-average speeds and fares worse in terms of value for money, coming 23rd of the 29 countries in Europe and ranked 81st worldwide.