Minister welcomes London’s boost to the digital economy

Ed Vaizey opens new TelecityGroup data centre expansion at Powergate

Communications Minister Ed Vaizey yesterday officially opened the new expansion at Powergate – TelecityGroup’s flagship London data centre – which will help boost the digital economy in London and across the UK.

With ever more businesses depending on the internet, data centres are needed to house the IT equipment – the computer servers, switches and routers – which support this online growth.

Powergate significantly expands the total data centre capacity available in London, helping to attract international businesses and jobs to the city. It is one of eight data centres in London that TelecityGroup already owns and operates, hosting IT infrastructure for some of the world’s largest organisations.

Communications Minister Ed Vaizey joined Mike Tobin, Chief Executive of TelecityGroup, to declare the Powergate expansion officially open.

Mike Tobin, CEO of TelecityGroup said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Ed Vaizey to our expansion site at Powergate. Businesses need data centres to host the IT infrastructure and systems on which they – and their customers – depend. With TelecityGroup increasing the data centre capacity available in London, more international businesses and jobs will be attracted to the city. I believe that with the roll-out of super-fast broadband, and the expansion of data centre capacity, London will continue to be a major European and global internet and digital hub.”

Communications Minister Ed Vaizey said:

“We must create the right conditions for businesses to grow and infrastructure is a key part. Previously that just meant roads and rail but now high-speed broadband and mobile coverage are just as important. That’s why the Government is investing £830 million in the UK’s digital infrastructure.

“It’s great to see companies like TelecityGroup investing in the infrastructure we need to ensure the UK can not only compete but be a world-leader in the digital age.”