Glasgow Gigabit City transformation underway in the city centre

Release: 8 November 2016 Glasgow city centre is now being transformed as part of a radical upgrade of the city’s digital infrastructure. Pure fibre infrastructure provider, CityFibre, has now begun a new phase of construction as part of the Glasgow Gigabit City project. This will see the city centre connected to CityFibre’s existing 31km pure fibre network in Glasgow. Work has commenced on Ingram Street, Renfrew Street and Douglas Street, and will be expanding to bring next-generation, ultra-fast internet connectivity within reach of more than 7,000 businesses. Some of the first businesses to benefit from this state-of-the-art connectivity will include design studio Graven Images, Michael Laird Architects, The Beacon and Laings Jewellers. The network also connects seven hospitals, including the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Speaking of the project, James McClafferty, CityFibre’s Head of Regional Development in Scotland, said: “It is great to see our Gigabit City network now reaching the heart of Glasgow. Pure fibre connectivity and ultra-fast internet services are already changing the way thousands of businesses operate nationwide and now Glasgow’s business community will benefit too. “A Gigabit City network will help support the city’s growing demand for data, boost competitiveness and create new opportunities for digital entrepreneurs. The rise of digital is really transforming the way we live and work, but to keep up with trends and maintain Glasgow’s profile on the world stage, we need the infrastructure to match.” Councillor George Redmond, Executive Member for Jobs, Business and Investment at Glasgow City Council, added: “This is a key development for Glasgow, with the greater network capacity and speeds that will come from this delivering great benefits for people and organisations all across the city. We have made great strides in smart systems in Glasgow in recent years, and this will help us maintain our competitive edge.” CityFibre’s launch partner for the Gigabit Glasgow project is HighNet, which opened new offices in the city’s St Vincent Street in August. HighNet is one of the internet service providers connecting businesses to the new pure fibre network. David J Siegel, Managing Director at HighNet, said: “We’re delighted to be able to provide such a huge leap forward for Glasgow businesses. High-capacity fibre connectivity backed up with a comprehensive Service Level Agreement enables transformative digital technologies to be introduced across all business sectors. “Even the basic elements such as reliable high-speed internet access and replacing copper phone lines with modern IP Voice systems can make a real difference to productivity, and it lays the foundations for new digital advances which can keep Glasgow at the forefront of commerce and cultural life in Scotland.” CityFibre is currently completing Gigabit City projects in 19 UK cities including Aberdeen and Edinburgh. For more information about CityFibre and Glasgow’s Gigabit City project, visit: www.cityfibre.com ENDS Issued on behalf of CityFibre by Weber Shandwick, PR Consultants for CityFibre. For more information or images, contact Dyan Owen at Weber Shandwick on + 44 (0)141 333 0557 or dowen@webershandwick.com Notes to Editors: CityFibre is the national builder of Gigabit Cities, as the UK’s largest alternative provider of wholesale fibre network infrastructure. It has major metro duct and fibre footprints in 40 cities across the UK and a national long distance network that connects these cities to major data-centres across the UK and to key peering points in London. The company has an extensive customer base spanning service integrators, enterprise and consumer service providers and mobile operators. Providing a portfolio of active and dark fibre services, CityFibre’s networks address 28,000 public sites, 7,800 mobile masts, 280,000 businesses and 4.0 million homes. CityFibre is based in London, United Kingdom, and its shares trade on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: CITY). Further information on the company can be found at www.cityfibre.com Founded in 1994, HighNet initially marketed call routing services to customers in the Highlands of Scotland and the company has been expanding its service portfolio and geographical reach ever since. Today, HighNet is Scotland’s leading business communications provider, providing access to a wide range of telecoms services, while always ensuring a high level of service and value for money for its customers. The company’s services are sold through more than 120 channel partners across the country.