In recent years, York has enjoyed millions of pounds of public and private sector investment, helping to improve connectivity for residents across the city. Our digital landscape is providing significant new opportunities for thousands of businesses based in the city and a better quality of life for our residents.
Our ambition is to make York the first truly ‘gigabit city’. Improved connectivity not only helps create new jobs and attract investment to the city, but also helps make York an enviable business destination and an even more desirable place to live.
Free Wi-Fi in York
CityConnect Free Wi-Fi in York is free to use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and fully supports:
- smartphones and social media
- general web browsing
- streaming services
Log in to CityConnect free Wi-Fi via social media or by completing a simple online registration form when prompted.
Our 24/7 high quality Wi-Fi network is indispensable for both our residents and visitors; York boasts the largest blend of integrated city centre & transport Wi-Fi in the UK.
We were also the first city to be ‘child friendly Wi-Fi’ accredited. Free Wi-Fi in York is certified by Digital Friendly Wi-Fi, the safe certification standard for public Wi-Fi. This means that any inappropriate adult content will be automatically blocked.
Visit the Digital York website or email digitalcity@york.gov.uk for further information about York, the UK's first Gigabit City.
Ultrafast broadband
Broadband speeds in York vary. This diversity reflects the different infrastructure and service providers available in the city. We’re currently focused on facilitating Full Fibre connections using Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) or Fibre to the Home (FTTH) technology, in line with the government's commitment to deliver access to faster broadband to 99% of premises by 2030.
Unlike copper-based broadband services available, Full Fibre networks use 100% fibre optic infrastructure to carry data all the way from the exchange to the premises at the speed of light.
We’re working with multiple network providers to encourage commercial & private investment in York:
CityFibre
CityFibre’s network passes almost every premise in the city. They are continuously bringing other national and local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) on to their network. Residents and businesses can explore the full range of options available at cityfibre.com.
To be kept up to date about when services will be made available, please register interest via CityFibre’s availability checker.
Virgin Media O2 (VMO2)
VMO2 has expanded its ultrafast network within the south-west areas of York, including Bishopthorpe, The Mount, and Tadcaster Road. This expansion is part of VMO2's ongoing efforts to connect additional homes in York, with the aim of bringing the benefits of Full Fibre broadband to thousands more people for the first time, while also offering choice to others.
Residents in York can now sign-up to services including Gig2 broadband which offer speeds of up 2 Gigabits per second (Gbps). Residents can run a spot check on the availability of fibre services using their postcode checker.
Openreach
Openreach is planning to upgrade approx. 40,000 premises in York to Full Fibre broadband between now and 2026.
Residents and businesses are invited to register for updates through their Fibre Checker to stay informed about these developments.
Services will be made available for sale through Openreach's Internet Service Provider (ISP) BT.
Quickline Communications
Quickline has been awarded a contract to subsidise the rollout of Full Fibre broadband to more than 28,000 hard to reach rural homes across West Yorkshire and York as part of Project Gigabit.
Check availability at their website.
Fusion Fibre Group
As part of our ongoing expansion of Full Fibre in some of York’s more rural locations, we have facilitated Fusion Fibre Group (formerly FACTCO) in delivering Full Fibre services in the villages of Elvington, Wheldrake and Stockton on the Forest.
If you are a home or business in one of these areas, check your postcode to ensure you can connect to future-proof, Full Fibre broadband today.
UK Fibre Networks (UKFN)
UK Fibre Networks (UKFN) has committed to connecting residents and businesses within York's city walls to their Full Fibre broadband network. The plan is to roll out ultrafast broadband to approximately 8,000 premises within the city walls throughout 2024 and into 2025.
Full Fibre broadband is currently being rolled out in Gillygate, and UKFN are now taking business & residential enquiries through their website.
Project Gigabit
Project Gigabit, the new government-funded programme, aims to support the deployment of Full Fibre in hard-to-reach areas across the UK. It is expected to be achieved via a couple of different delivery methods:
Gigabit Broadband Contracts
York is part of the Lot 8 Group under this programme, with approximately 4000 premises eligible for an upgrade.
This contract has just been awarded to Quickline Communications.
Visit Project Gigabit for more information.
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS)
The GBVS is a supplier-led initiative in which eligible rural communities collaborate with a broadband provider of their choice. The chosen provider will deliver gigabit-capable broadband to the community using vouchers issued through the GBVS. The supplier can claim vouchers worth up to £4,500 for each eligible residential or business premise.
Visit Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme for more information.
We’re actively collaborating with BDUK on a local area review to extend Full Fibre coverage to areas that were left behind during commercial rollouts, aiming to ensure the entire city benefits equally from improved connectivity.
To stay informed about Project Gigabit's progress email: digitalcity@york.gov.uk.
Rural broadband
We’re one of 6 local authorities delivering superfast broadband to residents and businesses in rural areas, in partnership with:
Visit Superfast West Yorkshire for more information.
For queries about Rural Broadband street works, visit the Digital York website or email digitalcity@york.gov.uk.
Connectivity issues
For all enquiries regarding connectivity in York, please contact our Digital City Team.