Following the initial 21km phase launched in 2023 across Woolwich, this latest expansion adds an additional 7km of full-fibre coverage through Eltham town centre.
Businesses and residents in Eltham are set to experience a digital transformation as ultrafast broadband connectivity arrives in the area. Digital Greenwich Connect, an innovative joint venture between DG Cities, the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s innovation company, and full-fibre provider ITS, has successfully extended its network, marking a significant milestone in the borough’s digital infrastructure.
Following the initial 21km phase launched in 2023 across Woolwich, this latest expansion adds an additional 7km of full-fibre coverage through Eltham town centre. With this extension, the network now reaches 2,000 businesses, public buildings, and 20,000 social homes, offering a substantial upgrade to local connectivity.
The initiative aligns with the borough’s commitment to ensuring its town centres and high streets remain vibrant and prosperous, meeting the needs of local people. Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, emphasised the importance of the project in modernising council services and fostering economic growth.
“It’s Our Greenwich mission to ensure that town centres, high streets, and shopping parades are vibrant places that are prosperous and meet the needs of local people,” Cllr Okereke said. “Digital Greenwich Connect is one of the innovative ways we are ensuring residents and businesses have access to fast and reliable digital connectivity. This will not only support our plans to modernise the delivery of council services but also boost economic growth and digital inclusion. It’s about ensuring Royal Greenwich plays an active role in delivering positive changes in the most efficient and effective ways possible.”
“Digital Greenwich Connect is one of the innovative ways that we are ensuring residents and businesses have access to fast and reliable digital connectivity.”
Anthony Okereke, Leader of Greenwich Council
The newly expanded network allows residents, businesses, and educational institutions in Eltham to access gigabit-capable services that are flexible and scalable to their evolving needs. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) using the network will provide these services, offering users the freedom to choose packages that best suit them.
Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS, highlighted the success of the partnership in accelerating digital connectivity across the borough. “Our partnership with DG Cities has grown in strength to deliver ahead of plan. We have ensured that end-users not only have access to high-quality business-grade services but can also choose their own service provider to buy the services from to meet their needs,” he said.
“The expansion of this transformational full-fibre network from Woolwich to Eltham town centre signals a key milestone and underpins the forward-thinking approach of the council in its strategic goals to support the digital transformation of the area, future-proofing it for generations to come.”
Trevor Dorling, Managing Director of DG Cities, also underscored the impact of the project and its role in shaping a digitally advanced community. “The launch of this second phase of Digital Greenwich Connect is testament to the impact of the initial rollout in Woolwich and the success of the partnership between DG Cities and ITS, facilitated by the Royal Borough of Greenwich,” he said.
“Digital Greenwich Connect is ensuring that Royal Greenwich has the digital infrastructure in place that is essential to deliver modern public services and support a modern mixed economy.”
As the expansion continues, businesses and residents in Eltham can expect to see significant improvements in connectivity, helping to bridge the digital divide and support the growing needs of an increasingly online world. With the borough committed to future-proofing its digital services, this latest development marks a major step towards a more connected and technologically advanced Greenwich.
