Peterborough CORE register tops 1,000 businesses

MORE than 1,000 businesses in the city have now registered to Gig Up Peterborough as the city races ahead to take advantage of its brand new, state-of-the art digital infrastructure. Ultra-fast internet connectivity has become a reality for the businesses and public sector sites already connected to the city’s new Peterborough CORE pure fibre network. CityFibre, which launched the Gig Up Peterborough campaign a year ago and started construction in April, has already built three-quarters of its network – including the city centre. The Peterborough CORE will allow the city to compete in the international market and put Peterborough shoulder to shoulder with places such as Stockholm and Seoul in terms of internet connectivity. Andy Starnes, city development manager at CityFibre, said: "We've invested several million pounds in Peterborough since last January - building the network, creating full-time jobs, and using local suppliers and contractors. It has been great to have such amazing support in the city and be able to start delivering on the shared vision of CityFibre and Peterborough City Council in transforming Peterborough into a next-generation Gigabit City." Already 86 of the 106 public sector sites, including council buildings, schools and libraries, are connected through service provider, Serco. Business services are available from four local internet service providers, and the first businesses in the city centre are already beginning to experience the advantages of ultra-fast connectivity. The focus has now turned to bringing gigabit speed connectivity to the city’s business parks. Construction began in Fengate in November following the success of the Gig Up Fengate campaign, which saw almost 200 businesses register their interest in future-proofing their firms. Together they saved £125,000 of combined construction costs and the activity has even seen new business move into the area to benefit from the new digital infrastructure. Rob Baldacci, managing director of local service provider Businesscoms, said: "Businesscoms is proud to be involved in such a dramatic change in businesses communications thanks to the work being done by CityFibre. Thanks to the Gig Up Fengate campaign we now have other business pockets asking us to do the same for them in their areas so they can get the same ultra-fast internet connectivity." The Gig Up Lynch Wood campaign, which launched last month, has also almost reached its target with more than 50 registrations. To register your business visit www.peterboroughcore.com. Follow us on Twitter @PboroCORE.