Network Communications News (NCN) NCN-Sept2017 | Page 14

ON THE CASE ‘Bristol is truly embracing the full-fibre revolution’ A bid to future-proof Bristol’s digital capabilities with ultra-fast internet connectivity has helped benefit more than 80 businesses in its first year of operation. The collaboration between CityFibre and Triangle Networks to bring Gigabit City status to the region was the first of its kind and aimed to drive economic growth and boost competitiveness and productivity across local enterprise. With 69km of full-fibre infrastructure running beneath the city streets, past Filton to Almondsbury and across the city centre, Bristol has been transformed into one of the best connected cities on the planet and thousands of businesses are within reach of the network Production firm Wildseed Studios were one of the first companies to gain a gigabit boost. The company’s networking manager, Chris Pearless, said: ‘The gigabit connection has given us flexibility. Instead of days, we can now make changes in hours. It’s added an agility and quality to our production we haven’t seen before.’ The partnership offers connectivity speeds that are up to 100 times faster than the UK’s average and CityFibre says its network has enabled a number of Bristol firms to revolutionise the way they do business as they are no longer held back by the likes of bandwidth restraints. ‘With our thirst for connectivity growing larger every day, Bristol is well placed to make the most of its full-fibre infrastructure,’ said Nick Gray, city development manager for CityFibre. ‘It’s been great to welcome businesses to the network from key industries across the city. Bristol is truly embracing the full-fibre revolution and it’s great to see.’ For further information visit: www.cityfibre.com AEI Cables provides vital link for offshore wind project AEI Cables has completed the supply of specialist fire performance products for control and instrumentation at the £1.5billion Galloper Wind Farm Project off the Suffolk coast. The products were supplied to ensure protection against flame propagation, smoke and acid gas emissions for 56 wind turbines in a challenging environment. Working with main contractor Petrofac, the AEI Cables’ products meet the requirements of BS 6883 and BS 7917 for fire per formance, providing power for lighting and important equipment once the wind farm is operational next year. The project, a joint partnership between innogy SE, UK Green Investment Bank (GIB), Siemens Financial Services and Macquarie Capital, is progressing towards completion next March when operation of the farm will start 16 miles off the coast. Stuart Dover, commercial manager at AEI Cables, said, ‘Working with the project partners, we were able to design cables specifically for these needs in this environment. This has been a particularly successful project and has progressed well, with everyone working closely to meet the project goals.’ The Galloper Wind Farm project will create around 700 jobs during construction and 800 UK jobs during its 25-year operational and maintenance phase. For further information visit: www.aeicables.co.uk 14 | September 2017