High Fibre

[prev] …immediate in Stockholm – you don’t really realise how much slow internet speeds and internet infrastructure capacity issues hold you back until they’re gone. Both Spotify and Skype began life here as start-ups. Developing concepts like that would never have been possible without gigabit connectivity.’

With tech giants like Ericsson choosing the Swedish capital as their base, the city has gone on to become among the highest-tech cities in Europe, with 18 percent of its workforce employed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Forbes magazine has ranked Stockholm as one of the world’s best cities for start-ups. ‘Having a reliable and future-proof pure-fibre network has had a hugely positive effect on the city’s economy, saving the local government over €250m in IT and telecoms services alone and delivering an estimated €1.8bn return on
investment,’ says Fredrik. Google is currently bringing gigabit speed internet to Kansas in the US. Tech start-ups are flocking to the state to take advantage of the superfast connection, with buildings offering gigabit internet in high demand.

‘Having a reliable and future-proof pure-fibre network has had a hugely positive effect on the city’s economy, saving the local government over €250m in IT and telecoms services alone’

Expansion potential
Closer to home, York is aiming to position itself as a top-five UK economy thanks in part to the introduction of purefibre internet. Since its installation local businesses there have reported a number of benefits. Legend Club Management Systems is based in one of York’s business parks and provides leisure management software for organisations such as health clubs and universities. The company works extensively with remote clients, operating central servers and
a busy call centre. Growth of the company was severely restricted by standard broadband. On making the switch to gigabit, Legend has found the speeds on offer have enabled it to streamline operations. The call centre now operates via a lag-free internet phone system, improving service, saving money and opening up the potential for expansion.

Another company in York feeling the benefits of is e-commerce specialist PureNet. Clients of the company require constant access to PureNet servers for tasks such as previewing and testing, while onsite staff need very fast, reliable internet access. The company is based in an area of York where standard internet connectivity is poor. Access to the gigabit connection through CityFibre has allowed the company to expand its offices and services.

Power to Peterborough
Work has now begun on the construction of the Peterborough CORE and will progress quickly across the city over the next 12-24 months with the first services available by July. During the installation process almost 90km of fibre optic cable route will be laid, all careful planned to ensure minimum disruption. The precise network route is demandled, which means that businesses need to register their interest in Peterborough CORE to guarantee it reaches their area. Registration doesn’t put a business under any obligation but allows CityFibre to map demand for its services and begin to accommodate this within the overall design of the network. It also means that businesses can be connected while construction teams are working in an area, thereby avoiding the costs and inconvenience of returning at a later date. The more businesses that register, the more will be in reach of the network. Currently 350 Peterborough businesses have pre-registered, with others welcome to join them.

‘Peterborough is the fastest growing city in the UK and that means we need the fastest possible internet speed’

One of the first customers to sign up is solicitors, Taylor Rose. Luke Hutchings, Head of Employment at Taylor Rose, is looking forward to utilising the ultra-fast connection. ‘As a fast-growing firm with almost 200 employees working online simultaneously, our current connectivity risks holding us back. We have ambitions to provide more and more of our services online and the gigabit service means we will be able to do more, faster than ever
before. It’s good news for our business and for Peterborough’s wider business community.’

Councillor Marco Cereste, leader of Peterborough City Council, agrees that pure-fibre broadband can only help to further increase the prospects of the city: ‘Peterborough is the fastest growing city in the UK and that means we need the fastest possible internet speed. It is
good to see that work has started on the project because when it is complete it will help not only the business community but also Peterborough’s schools, and public services. It will set Peterborough on course to be one of the most connected cities in the world.’

With Peterborough joining the technologically elite it should secure the city’s reputation as the place to do business.

Register your interest
Businesses can register their interest in Peterborough CORE through the Gig Up campaign. More information and business pre-registration forms can be found at www.peterboroughcore.com