City prepares for installation of super-fast broadband

SOME of the fastest computer connections in the country are being introduced in York to give schools, libraries and other public offices unprecedented access to council services.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jan 2010, 11:05 BST
Updated 14th Jan 2010, 11:05 BST

The multi-million pound project was announced yesterday by York Council and it is hoped the new technology will also attract a wave of new business to the city.

Companies will be able to sign up to use the city-wide fibre optic communications network, which is hoped will be operational later in the year.

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The network will provide super-fast broadband connectivity of up to 10Gbps as well as offering services such as advanced telephony, video conferencing, closed circuit television and traffic management services.

York Council has signed a 13.7m contract for eight years with Pinacl Solutions and its partner, H2O Networks, with the option to extend the deal for a further two years.

The contract will support the council's schools, libraries, sports facilities and offices with a state-of-the-art "dark fibre" network.

The council's head of information and communications technology, Roy Grant, said: "The new dark fibre network removes old limitations of bandwidth availability and cost. Now, new advances can be considered.

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"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.

"The contract with Pinacl Solutions and its key partner, H2O Networks, will provide a quality partnership with a single point of contact, faster response and the flexibility we require to deliver a better controlled infrastructure – potentially the best network footprint across any local authority in the UK."

Once the network is live, other users will be able to access council services through the network – for example, visitors and tourists could be able to receive wireless downloads of audio guides for the city's tourist attractions.

H2O Networks managing director Roy Shelton claimed the opportunities which the new network will provide are "limitless".

Work to lays ducts in pavement for cabling will begin this month and it is hoped that the project will be ready by the autumn.

Related topics:York