Switch-on for Unique FibreSpeed High Speed Communications Network in North Wales

High-speed digital communications have arrived in North Wales following the launch of Fibrespeed, a uniquely-funded £30 million project bringing the benefits of fibre optic technology to businesses and individuals for the first time.

The region will now compare with London and the South East for affordable, high speed and high bandwidth internet communication access thanks to a new 200-mile fibre optic conduit linking towns and business parks with the existing high-speed network in England.

Fibrespeed was officially launched by Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones (November 27) at Technium CAST in Parc Menai near Bangor – one of the strategic locations chosen  to be amongst the first to gain access to the new service starting in Spring 2009.

Mr Jones applauded the success of the partnership between private enterprise and the Welsh Assembly Government – a UK-first for a project of this kind – which has created Fibrespeed.

Speaking at the launch, he said: “This is a perfect example of the Government and the private sector working together to deliver real advantage to the Welsh economy. This vision could not have been delivered by Government alone – it could only be delivered through partnership.

Speaking to businesses the length and breadth of the country, I know that one of the key things they want from such partnerships is excellent broadband connectivity. Responding to that call, we are celebrating a major step forward with Fibrespeed.”

Fibrespeed’s launch marks the first phase of a long-term Assembly Government programme to make affordable high bandwidth services available throughout Wales. Previously, high speed services in North Wales were up to 6 times more expensive than those in London and the South East, hindering business growth and innovation.

The Welsh Assembly Government has estimated that the net economic benefits of FibreSpeed across north Wales could deliver an increase in Gross Value Added (GVA) of up to £29 million per annum for each of the next 10 years.

Chris Smedley, Chief Executive of Fibrespeed, said: “Without optical fibre networks, economies cannot evolve. They are the new roads and railways of the 21st century and beyond. FibreSpeed is boosting ICT capacity allowing innovation and new services to be delivered to customers and end users. It is stimulating business and encouraging inward investment into North Wales.”

Businesses and home users will not be the only ones to benefit from Fibrespeed. It’s an opportunity for communications specialists to sell products and services based on the high capacity and high speeds the optical fibre network provides. Already 12 service providers have come on board, ready to sell services to the end user.

These service providers will also be able to expand the network’s reach so that business and home users located near – but not on – the fibre optic route will be able to connect to it.

Mr Jones said the creation of the Fibrespeed network was only the first step, and that businesses now had to embrace the technology available to them.

He added: “We want the businesses and the communities here in North Wales to engage with us and with the service providers, because we must continue to raise our game.

I am confident that working together, Government and businesses can drive up the performance of the economy here in North Wales so that we can all benefit from the increased prosperity that it will bring.”

ABOUT FIBRESPEED

Fibrespeed Ltd operates the wholesale open access network which brings affordable high speed communications services to businesses across North Wales. This is through a 320km network of optical fibre cabling, connecting Holyhead in Anglesey, Caernarfon in Gwynedd, along the North Wales corridor and down to Wrexham, and linking to the UK’s fibre backbone in Manchester.

Fibrespeed will stimulate economic growth and encourage enterprise in the region by giving North Wales’ businesses access to the UK’s most modern communications infrastructure. It will also create a vibrant new retail market for service providers, who will be able to sell affordable voice and data services in the region for the first time using Fibrespeed infrastructure.

For more information visit www.fibrespeed.co.uk