Top connectivity for Scotland’s ‘Hippest Hang-out’: Leith’s Gigabit Milestone

Tech-savvy businesses in trendy Leith are gearing up for future growth, thanks to connections to Edinburgh’s full-fibre gigabit network. The latest connections to Edinburgh’s new Gigabit City network north of the city centre mean Leith is now benefiting from 100 per cent fibre connectivity for the very first time. Recently named the UK’s second top ‘Hip Hang-out’ in TravelSupermarket’s Neighbourhood Index, Leith has been on the receiving end of significant redevelopment in recent years and is well on its way to establishing itself as a thriving creative hub. With access to CityFibre’s Gigabit network, Leith’s trendy bars, cafés and restaurants and other smaller businesses operating just outside of the city centre can now benefit from ultrafast, next generation connectivity. Businesses already benefiting include Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust on Links Place, business and luxury travel service, Cashel Travel and 180Vita Limited. Each has been connected by CityFibre’s Edinburgh launch partner and internet service provider, Commsworld. Tom Alford, ‎Chief Financial Officer at 180Vita Limited, connected in October 2016. Speaking of their experience to date, Tom said: “An ultrafast, reliable internet solution is business critical given we are an online marketing business. We are now able to conduct business operations with zero interruption to output. As the business scales, connectivity will become even more important. Flexibility in terms of adding additional speed, gives options such as hosting our own servers. The benefits of being connected to the gigabit network have been especially apparent at the moment as we have been busy with the relaunch one of our key assets, PokerTube.com.” James McClafferty, Head of Regional Development in Scotland at CityFibre, commented: “We’ve spoken a lot about the original 150km gigabit network in Edinburgh but really, this was just the start. Increasing demand for full-fibre connectivity from tech-savvy businesses operating outside of the city centre is driving us to invest further in Edinburgh and accelerate the digital transformation of the entire city, not just its core. “Like Glasgow’s Finnieston, it’s great to be a contributing factor in the revival of Leith. Providing Gigabit City connectivity to businesses in Leith will enable them to invest in new opportunities and tools like cloud platforms, supporting the growth and innovation the area is becoming synonymous with.” The network in Edinburgh currently offers connectivity at gigabit speed (up to 100 times faster than the UK average) within reach of around 7000 businesses and 300 public sector sites including schools, libraries and office buildings. Ricky Nicol, CEO at Commsworld, added: “The connections in Leith are proof that Gigabit City networks are not only transforming the way city centre businesses and organisations can collaborate and work together, but that they are a driving force in fuelling the revival of the entire city and its surrounding areas. With access to ultra-fast, ultra-reliable connectivity, businesses and services located outside of the city centre stand in good stead to compete and thrive alongside those in the centre.” CityFibre is currently delivering Gigabit City projects in four Scottish cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Stirling. For more information about CityFibre and Edinburgh’s Gigabit City project, visit: www.cityfibre.com/edinburgh ENDS Issued on behalf of CityFibre by Weber Shandwick, PR Consultants for CityFibre. For more information or images, contact Alexandra Dewar at Weber Shandwick on + 44 (0)131 460 3005 or adewar@webershandwick.com