Broadband News
News, views and analysis
100Mbit/s fibre-optic broadband in Manchester super information Corridor
14 Jan 2010 | 23.52 Europe/London
Residents and businesses in part of Manchester are a step closer to having a "true open access network which will revolutionise ways of working and using digital communications." That's according to the Manchester Digital Development Agency (MDDA), which has announced the appointment of a firm to deliver its next-generation fibre-optic broadband project.
New fibre-optic cables will be installed in the Oxford Road area of Manchester - otherwise known as the Corridor - that'll allow 100Mbit/s connections for both uploads and downloads. The resulting network is being billed as "open access" in that it'll be possible for any service provider to lease the optical fibre involved. While that'll ultimately lead to triple play offerings (packages including Internet, TV and phone), the MDDA says there's "potential for services and applications to be made available for free without having to go through an internet service provider" as well.
"The installation of the new fibre-optic cables will ... allow organisations, businesses and even individuals develop and test their own ideas for uses of the new technology without being held back by current limitations," says Jackie Potter, chief executive at Corridor Manchester. As many as five hundred businesses and a thousand homes are positioned to benefit, with the network expected to be complete in twelve months time.
Geo, a company known for bespoke fibre-optic broadband solutions, has been chosen to literally do the groundwork after a its success in delivering a separate fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network elsewhere in Manchester. "Creating a true open access network with next generation fibre broadband capable of fully symmetrical world – leading broadband services will radically change the way people use the internet for business and social use," says Chris Smedley, Geo's chief executive. "It will allow home working, telemedicine, video calling and net-based services on TV."
The Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) is stumping up a million pounds for the project; it's already being planning to extend the upcoming fibre network out from the Corridor area to east Manchester and other parts of the city. "This is the first step on a journey to help make Manchester an increasingly competitive international city – a city in which businesses can find new and sustainable markets which in turn will help drive the regional economy," says Damien Bourke, policy & partnership manager for NWDA. "What better place to start this process than the Oxford Road area, where next generation fibre broadband will only generate further wealth from the people, ideas and innovation that make the Corridor a unique place to do business."
The news comes as the City of York Council's revealed it's signed up H2O Networks and Pinacl Solutions for a fibre-optic network that promises 10Gbit/s connectivity for sixty-seven schools, fourteen libraries and various other public services. It's being designed to handle everything from "advanced telephony services" and video conferencing to CCTV and traffic management services. With a price tag of fourteen million pounds, it's expected to be finished in autumn this year; work will begin on the project this month.
"The new dark fibre network removes old limitations of bandwidth availability and cost," says Roy Grant, head of ICT at City of York Council. "Not only will we be able to link council buildings and facilities - including our new headquarters - but the city-wide network will help us attract new businesses to York by offering low-cost connections to the network."
Geo, meanwhile, will start preparing the ground in Manchester in the spring.
New fibre-optic cables will be installed in the Oxford Road area of Manchester - otherwise known as the Corridor - that'll allow 100Mbit/s connections for both uploads and downloads. The resulting network is being billed as "open access" in that it'll be possible for any service provider to lease the optical fibre involved. While that'll ultimately lead to triple play offerings (packages including Internet, TV and phone), the MDDA says there's "potential for services and applications to be made available for free without having to go through an internet service provider" as well.
"The installation of the new fibre-optic cables will ... allow organisations, businesses and even individuals develop and test their own ideas for uses of the new technology without being held back by current limitations," says Jackie Potter, chief executive at Corridor Manchester. As many as five hundred businesses and a thousand homes are positioned to benefit, with the network expected to be complete in twelve months time.
Geo, a company known for bespoke fibre-optic broadband solutions, has been chosen to literally do the groundwork after a its success in delivering a separate fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network elsewhere in Manchester. "Creating a true open access network with next generation fibre broadband capable of fully symmetrical world – leading broadband services will radically change the way people use the internet for business and social use," says Chris Smedley, Geo's chief executive. "It will allow home working, telemedicine, video calling and net-based services on TV."
The Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) is stumping up a million pounds for the project; it's already being planning to extend the upcoming fibre network out from the Corridor area to east Manchester and other parts of the city. "This is the first step on a journey to help make Manchester an increasingly competitive international city – a city in which businesses can find new and sustainable markets which in turn will help drive the regional economy," says Damien Bourke, policy & partnership manager for NWDA. "What better place to start this process than the Oxford Road area, where next generation fibre broadband will only generate further wealth from the people, ideas and innovation that make the Corridor a unique place to do business."
The news comes as the City of York Council's revealed it's signed up H2O Networks and Pinacl Solutions for a fibre-optic network that promises 10Gbit/s connectivity for sixty-seven schools, fourteen libraries and various other public services. It's being designed to handle everything from "advanced telephony services" and video conferencing to CCTV and traffic management services. With a price tag of fourteen million pounds, it's expected to be finished in autumn this year; work will begin on the project this month.
"The new dark fibre network removes old limitations of bandwidth availability and cost," says Roy Grant, head of ICT at City of York Council. "Not only will we be able to link council buildings and facilities - including our new headquarters - but the city-wide network will help us attract new businesses to York by offering low-cost connections to the network."
Geo, meanwhile, will start preparing the ground in Manchester in the spring.
"Information Super Corridor" would have been funnier, so it's more like Information Super-Highway.
15 Jan 2010 | 15.57 Europe/London