London and Glasgow, 22nd August 2016 – An internet service provider poised to transform Glasgow’s business broadband offering has opened its first Central Belt location in St Vincent Street, bringing the city a step closer to Gigabit City status. Scottish firm HighNet has invested £250,000 in developing the new base at The Beacon as they bring the next generation of ultra-fast internet to surrounding businesses, schools, hospitals and public sector services in partnership with leading pure fibre infrastructure provider, CityFibre.
Set to commence construction later this year, CityFibre’s 40km multi-million-pound pure fibre investment will make Glasgow Scotland’s third Gigabit City with connections expected to go live in early 2017.
The first phase will take up to 12 months to complete and will be capable of reaching over 7,000 businesses and public sector organisations as well as seven hospitals, including the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. The new network will offer connectivity up to 100 times faster than that offered by existing infrastructure.
In advance of work starting, HighNet has recruited eight new employees in the city and adapted the 4000ft2 space to include a range of technical and customer facilities.
David J Siegel, Managing Director at HighNet, said: “Over the past 21 years we have grown our business throughout Scotland from our base in Inverness. However, with the launch of the Glasgow Gigabit City project, it was vital for HighNet to set up a local presence so that we could service our rapidly growing network of staff, partners and customers in the city.
“Digital technology has the capability to transform the way we and our customers do business. It can also drive new innovation and increased productivity. To achieve this, however, customers need top-class connectivity. Glasgow’s Gigabit City status will ensure its businesses and organisations can stay ahead of the curve, and we look forward to playing our part in delivering this ambitious project. Exciting and interesting times lie ahead.”
James McClafferty, CityFibre’s Head of Regional Development in Scotland, added: “In cities like Glasgow, the rise of new technologies is radically transforming the way we live and work, and this means that our digital connectivity can either be a barrier to growth and innovation or a catalyst for economic and social development.
“Working with HighNet, we want to make sure Glasgow has the infrastructure it needs to compete with other cities in the UK and across the world. Every Gigabit City we build provides local businesses, Government, public services and mobile operators with a modern fibre infrastructure, capable of meeting their data connectivity and communication needs now, and for decades to come.”
Richard Muir, Deputy Chief Executive at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the announcement. He said: “Ultra-fast internet connectivity is an extremely useful commodity for the business community and something which is regularly discussed by our members.
“It’s fantastic to see a company coming into the city and creating jobs in order to enhance the local infrastructure. This type of development further strengthens Glasgow’s extensive credentials as a digital hub where businesses can thrive.”
You can find HighNet’s new office at The Beacon, 176 St Vincent Street. For more information about HighNet visit http://www.highnet.com or call 0141 465 1175.
CityFibre is currently completing Gigabit City projects in 37 UK cities including Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
For more information about CityFibre and Glasgow’s Gigabit City project, visit: www.cityfibre.com
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About HighNet
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.
About CityFibre
CityFibre is the UK’s largest alternative provider of wholesale fibre network infrastructure. It has major metro footprints in 37 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 24,500 public sites, 7,000 mobile masts, 245,000 businesses and 3.5 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
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