Research and analysis

Overview of findings for non-case study projects

Published 10 September 2026

This chapter provides brief summaries of findings from interviews with Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) projects that were not taken forward for more detailed case study research. The purpose is to capture the main insights from the initial round of interviews and ensure that evidence gathered across the wider set of projects is reflected in the evaluation.

These summaries are based primarily on interviews with the main local authority leads responsible for delivering the LFFN projects. As a result, the findings reflect the perspectives of a limited number of stakeholders and should be interpreted accordingly.

For this reason, the evidence presented in these summaries is generally more robust in relation to strategic and organisational benefits, where project leads were directly involved in decision-making and implementation. By contrast, evidence relating to site-level outcomes, such as changes in service delivery or operational improvements within connected organisations, should be treated with greater caution as it is based on indirect reporting rather than direct engagement with those delivering services.

1. Avonmouth (Bristol City Council – Public Sector Asset Reuse (PSAR))

The Avonmouth project aimed to address poor digital infrastructure in an important economic area of north-west Bristol, where limited connectivity was seen as a constraint on business development, public services and future “smart port” technologies. The council used a PSAR approach, extending its existing BNET fibre network by reusing publicly owned ducts and fibre assets to create an open-access backbone network.

The project delivered around 30 km of fibre infrastructure, incorporating refurbished ducts, previously installed “dig once” ducting and some new ducting to improve network resilience. The infrastructure forms part of the council-owned “BNET” network, which Bristol City Council maintains and operates.

Because the project focused on creating backbone infrastructure rather than directly connecting public buildings, site-level benefits have been limited to date. The council had expected private providers to use the network to connect nearby public facilities and premises. While a commercial partner (VX Fibre) was initially secured, their rollout was paused following a merger with Freedom Fibre, which halted the anticipated extensions to local premises. As a result, the only direct uses of the network so far have been connections for CCTV cameras and traffic signals, which have supported operational improvements and modest cost savings.

The project has delivered some organisational benefits for the council. In particular, the network supports a new 24-hour operations centre that integrates CCTV, traffic control and emergency management functions. The project also led to improvements in how the council manages its fibre assets, including the introduction of new systems to track infrastructure and manage maintenance.

From a strategic perspective, the project has filled a known connectivity gap in an economic growth area and created infrastructure that could support future residential and commercial development. The council has also continued to extend the network through its “dig once” policy when undertaking roadworks. However, these assets are not yet being widely used to connect premises while the council seeks a new commercial partner.

Overall, the key factor limiting outcomes has been the pause in commercial rollout following the merger of VX Fibre with Freedom Fibre, which has delayed the wider connectivity benefits originally expected from the project.

2. Cambridge (Connecting Cambridgeshire - PSAR and Public Sector Building Upgrade (PSBU))

Connecting Cambridgeshire delivered two LFFN projects with distinct but complementary objectives. The PSBU project improved connectivity at council buildings and other public facilities, including libraries, children services, health sites, schools and energy/transport locations. The PSAR project established Light Blue Fibre, a joint venture with the University of Cambridge, to create publicly owned fibre infrastructure. The PSAR project aimed to support a “dig once” policy, ensuring that fibre ducting would be incorporated into roadworks and transport schemes from the outset, avoiding the need for subsequent excavation by commercial providers.

Interviewees reported benefits from the PSBU project through two main channels, though they acknowledged lacking first-hand knowledge of all connected sites. First, the upgraded connections enabled deployment of public access Wi-Fi in town centres throughout Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, funded through a separate programme. The public Wi-Fi network is reported to be well used, and has delivered benefits for visitors, residents and businesses in areas where it has been deployed. Second, libraries that previously had minimal connectivity experienced significant improvements. The upgraded connections enabled libraries to offer digital inclusion initiatives, skills training and community events, as well as practical support for residents accessing online services such as disability applications and GP appointments.

The PSAR project funded the deployment of fibre ducting into infrastructure schemes where it had not been originally designed. The project has been successful in implementing the dig once policy, which was a key objective, and has ensured the fast and efficient rollout of fibre broadband while minimising disruption to local communities. Light Blue Fibre has been successfully commercialised and is now generating a modest return. Interviewees were clear that the joint venture would likely not have been established without LFFN funding.

Having control of the asset has also given Connecting Cambridgeshire greater strategic control, including the ability to leverage other public sector funding to maximise the value of the asset. Interviewees reported that they have implemented a number of smart city initiatives using sensors which use the Light Blue Fibre network as backhaul.

Interviewees highlighted that the presence of Connecting Cambridgeshire as a well-resourced and strategically focused organisation was critical to realising benefits from both projects. Operating separately from IT services within the council’s Place and Economy directorate, it provided dedicated capacity to coordinate complex digital infrastructure initiatives. Interviewees described this organisational capacity as “totally crucial” to project success.

3. Norfolk (Norfolk County Council – PSBU)

Norfolk’s LFFN project aimed to improve connectivity across a large rural county and support a transition from legacy network models to faster, internet-based services. The project formed part of the council’s wider digital strategy, which sought to expand broadband coverage, reduce reliance on older network technologies and create a foundation for future digital initiatives.

The project was delivered through Norfolk’s existing managed network contract with Capita, with Openreach installing FTTP connections at selected sites. The project connected council buildings, libraries, fire stations and schools that were already part of the managed network and had poor existing connectivity. In total, several hundred sites were upgraded, replacing slow FTTC connections or expensive leased lines with gigabit-capable fibre.

Interviewees reported a number of site-level benefits, including improved reliability for online services and better support for digital activities in libraries and schools. In some cases, the improved connectivity enabled additional services such as online learning activities, community events and digital payment facilities.

The project also delivered organisational benefits for the council. In particular, the shift away from Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) circuits to internet-based services generated significant cost savings, estimated at over £350,000 per year, while also improving network performance and resilience for public services.

Following the LFFN project, Norfolk secured additional funding from the Local Enterprise Partnership to extend connectivity to rural community buildings such as village halls. The experience of delivering LFFN, and the infrastructure already in place, helped support this further investment. The upgraded connectivity has also supported additional initiatives, including the deployment of LoRaWAN gateways and flood sensors. While these applications were not solely dependent on LFFN, the improved backhaul made it easier to deploy and operate these systems.

4. Pembrokeshire (Pembrokeshire County Council - PSBU)

Pembrokeshire County Council delivered a PSBU project in 2019-2020, connecting 69 sites across the county including 52 council buildings and 17 GP surgeries. The project formed part of Pembrokeshire’s digital strategy to address very low levels of fibre coverage in the county (c. 5% at project inception). The council established a dedicated broadband engagement team to coordinate digital infrastructure deployment across multiple funding programmes, including LFFN and voucher schemes.

The project delivered significant improvements in connectivity, upgrading sites from typical speeds of 2-4 Mbps to minimum 150 Mbps fibre connections. Interviewees reported that the new connections were highly reliable compared to the previous technology, which frequently experienced disconnection issues. The improved connectivity was essential for supporting video conferencing and cloud-based services that would have been impractical on the previous infrastructure.

The project enabled the council to consolidate its wide area network covering 140 sites including schools, libraries, leisure centres, corporate buildings and social care settings. The improved connectivity enabled new service models that would have been impractical on lower-capacity connections, including shared network access for multiple public sector organisations such as the NHS, police and local authority. The upgraded network also supports a wireless service that allows public sector workers from across Wales to access connectivity when visiting Pembrokeshire facilities.

The council did not achieve significant cost savings from the project, though interviewees emphasised that the benefits far outweighed a modest cost increase. The local health board, however, made substantial savings by migrating GP surgeries from expensive legacy connections to fibre technology while achieving significant speed increases.

The LFFN infrastructure also enabled deployment of a county-wide Long Range Wide Area Network(LoRaWAN) network, funded through separate Welsh Government funding. The network is openly accessible and is being used for various applications, including lone worker alarms, monitoring beacons at harbour locations, and agricultural applications. The council continues to explore applications for the network to support internal operations.

5. Stoke-on-Trent (Stoke-on-Trent City Council – PSAR)

Stoke’s LFFN project was delivered through the PSAR model and involved repurposing existing council infrastructure to support a new fibre network across the city. Prior to LFFN, many council sites relied on slow connections of around 10 Mbps, which limited performance and constrained the delivery of digital services. The project formed part of the wider Silicon Stoke programme, which aims to strengthen digital infrastructure and support economic development across the city.

The LFFN-funded build established a council-owned fibre spine network, with VX Fibre (now Freedom Fibre) acting as the delivery partner. Much of the implementation took place before the current interviewees were involved, and several of the original project team have since left the authority. As a result, interviewees were unable to provide detailed insight into the initial project design or procurement approach. Since completion, the council has focused on using the network to support connectivity for municipal buildings and to enable wider digital initiatives.

Interviewees reported several site-level benefits where connections have been implemented. Council buildings connected to the fibre spine have experienced substantial improvements in connectivity, supporting better performance for critical systems and enabling multi-agency use of facilities. For example, NHS midwifery teams have been able to access secure systems through council networks when operating from council premises. In the care sector, connected care homes have begun using digital technologies such as electronic care records and acoustic monitoring systems. Improved connectivity has also supported CCTV expansion and communal Wi-Fi in sheltered housing schemes, enabling residents to access online services and maintain contact with family members.

The project has also delivered organisational benefits, particularly through the council’s ownership of the network. Interviewees indicated that the infrastructure has generated significant cost savings compared with previous connectivity arrangements, although precise figures were not available. The network has also enabled operational changes, including relocating the council’s central CCTV hub to alternative locations, which allowed the former site to be released for housing development.

At a strategic level, the fibre infrastructure is now highlighted within the city’s investment prospectus and has supported regeneration initiatives, including developments funded through the Levelling Up programme. The network has also enabled early trials of smart technologies such as highway sensors and AI-based road condition monitoring, as well as small-cell deployments to support improved mobile connectivity.

Interviewees emphasised that realising the full benefits of the network has required additional investment in building-level infrastructure and internal coordination across council departments. They were, however, unable to comment on factors influencing the original design and delivery of the project, as these decisions were made before they became involved.

6. Wolverhampton (City of Wolverhampton Council – Public Sector Anchor Tenancy(PSAT))

The Wolverhampton project aimed to address longstanding connectivity constraints affecting public sector sites across the city. Prior to LFFN, many schools, libraries and council buildings relied on costly leased lines or low-capacity connections, limiting the delivery of modern digital services. The council viewed the project as an opportunity to improve public service connectivity and support wider objectives around digital inclusion.

CityFibre delivered the network, which was completed in November 2021. Around 170 sites were connected, including council offices, libraries, community centres, leisure centres, schools and the City of Wolverhampton College. The network was built using dark fibre, allowing the council to control bandwidth and service provision across its estate, with connections ranging from 1 Gbit/s for schools to 10 Gbit/s for the college.

Interviewees reported a range of site-level benefits. Libraries and community centres can now provide reliable public Wi-Fi and improved digital access for residents. Schools have been able to expand their use of cloud services and online learning platforms, supported by significantly higher and more stable bandwidth. Across the estate, the improved connectivity has enabled greater use of cloud-based tools and the migration from analogue lines to Voice over Internet Protocol systems.

The project has also delivered organisational benefits. The council now has more consistent connectivity across its estate, supporting flexible working for staff and improved digital services for residents. Interviewees also reported significant cost savings compared with previous leased-line arrangements, particularly for sites such as libraries.

At a strategic level, the project has supported the council’s ambition to reduce digital exclusion and improve digital infrastructure across the city. Interviewees also believed the project helped catalyse wider commercial investment. CityFibre, which had no previous presence in Wolverhampton, has since expanded its network to cover around 100,000 premises.

The infrastructure is now supporting a range of additional uses, including CCTV, traffic management systems and mobile mast backhaul. The council is continuing to explore further uses, including sensors and wider smart city applications. CityFibre has also continued to extend residential fibre coverage in the city.

Interviewees highlighted several factors that influenced outcomes, including strong collaboration between the council and CityFibre, dedicated internal leadership on digital infrastructure, and a clear strategic focus on digital inclusion. They also noted that while the network removed bandwidth constraints, some sites required further hardware upgrades to fully realise the benefits of the improved connectivity.