Access to fast, reliable broadband is essential for communities, businesses and public services. Yet many public sector buildings in rural areas of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire struggle with slow internet speeds.
To bridge this digital divide, Nottinghamshire County Council, leading the D2N2 Gigahubs Project, has partnered with Neos Networks to build the infrastructure to deliver broadband speeds up to 1Gbps to rural communities. This £1.2m project is set to transform digital access for schools, libraries and health care facilities across the region.
The challenge
Many public buildings in remote areas of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire have sluggish, outdated broadband connections that hinder their daily operations.
For example, schools in rural areas struggle with limited bandwidth, disrupting online learning. Doctors’ surgeries face connectivity issues, preventing virtual consultations and the transfer of patient data. And libraries, which serve as digital community hubs, lack robust internet access to support council-led services.
To address this challenge, Nottinghamshire County Council sought a connectivity partner capable of delivering a cost-effective, high performance network. The project required a provider with extensive experience deploying scalable, future-proof network infrastructure in hard-to-reach locations.
Neos Networks, a trusted public sector partner and Critical National Infrastructure provider, was the obvious choice.
The solution
Working in partnership with Neos Networks, Nottinghamshire County Council embarked on an ambitious plan to deliver gigabit-capable services to as many as 28 public buildings. Neos Networks used its expertise in critical network solutions to design and deliver robust infrastructure to enable seamless digital services across these sites.
Key aspects of the solution include:
• Infrastructure collaboration: Neos Networks coordinated work with partners Openreach and Netomnia to ensure the most efficient infrastructure build.
• High-speed connectivity: The new infrastructure enables gigabit broadband for schools, libraries and medical centres, ensuring reliable internet access for essential services.
• Phased approach: The first sites, including Langar C of E Primary School and Queen Eleanor Primary School, are already benefiting, with full project completion expected by spring 2026.
By drawing on its high capacity UK-wide fibre network, Neos Networks is enabling scalable, cost-effective connectivity for communities in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire for the long term.
The outcome
As the project progresses, the impact of this new connectivity is already being felt. For instance, schools have uninterrupted access to online resources, remote teaching capabilities and digital collaboration tools. Medical centres gain improved connectivity to support remote health services, expanding patient access to health care professionals and reducing waiting times. And libraries benefit from reliable broadband to support community services.
Overall, the project delivers significant benefits for rural areas:
• Digital inclusion: Reliable internet access helps to bridge the digital divide in remote communities, ensuring equal opportunities for education, health care and public services.
• Future-proof infrastructure: The new network lays the foundation for further digital advancements, enabling additional services and innovations.
• Economic boost: Enhanced connectivity is expected to become available to nearby businesses and homes as broadband providers use the new infrastructure.
With this next-generation broadband infrastructure, Nottinghamshire County Council is laying the digital foundations to support rural communities for years to come.
“We’re proud to be leading the way in expanding digital connectivity to our rural communities. Working with Neos Networks has enabled us to deliver a cost-effective, high-speed broadband solution that will benefit schools, medical centres and libraries across the region. This project is an important step in ensuring that everyone, regardless of location, can access the digital services they need to thrive.” Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, Nottinghamshire County Council
