BROADBAND speeds at businesses and schools are set to be increased 44,000-fold by a Bradford-based internet technology specialist.

Expanding internet service provider Exa Networks, which last year moved into a larger city centre base, has signed a contract with internet networks provider CityFibre to boost connections initially to around 250 UK schools and businesses using "dark fibre" - essentially unused optical fibre networks.

Mark Cowgill, Exa Networks director and co-founder, said the deal would help to make Bradford one of the world's fastest connected cities 20 years ahead of schedule.

Exa's new six-year partnership with CityFibre, which builds and owns high-speed internet networks in urban areas, is part of a £4.9 million deal enabling Exa to use its infrastructure in Bradford and Leeds  and Diva Telecom to operate in Leeds.

Exa Networks will expand its provision of pure fibre connectivity to 36 other towns and cities over the next 12 months.

Dark fibre is optical fibre infrastructure enabling a customer to have an internet connection which can accommodate all potential future business expansion – with speeds of up to 1,000,000 Mbps achievable (the current average broadband speed is 22.8Mbps, which makes the service 44,000 x faster).

Exa Networks has also agreed an exclusive national partnership with CityFibre to bring dark fibre connections to the education sector.

It is one of the largest educational specialist internet service providers in the UK , serving thousands of schools and colleges across the country with connectivity and filtering services.

The City Fibre deal means Exa will be able to provide schools with the fastest internet speeds possible, transforming their digital capabilities.

Michael Syree, Exa Networks director and co-founder, said: “As a specialist in connectivity provision to the education and business sectors, we understand the crucial importance of ultra-fast speeds in the modern age, so we’re delighted to be able to bring these incredible services to customers across CityFibre’s national fibre footprint.”

Greg Mesch, CityFibre, chief executive , added “We are very pleased to be adding such a key partner to our ranks. Exa Networks has great local market knowledge and a hard-earned reputation for delivering value to their customers. This is the beginning of our journey together.”

Exa Networks is looking to double its £5 million turnover within two years after moving from Cottingley to a significantly larger 15,000 sq ft base on Bolton Road. Its £1.5 million investment provides room for its planned expansion from 45 to 80 staff over the next three years.

Thirteen new jobs have already been created.