Edinburgh firms to join internet fast lane

Thousands of firms across Edinburgh are poised to benefit from superfast broadband over the coming months amid plans to create Scotland’s largest “gigabit” network.
Ricky Nicol is excited to have partnered with CityFibre. Picture: Phil WilkinsonRicky Nicol is excited to have partnered with CityFibre. Picture: Phil Wilkinson
Ricky Nicol is excited to have partnered with CityFibre. Picture: Phil Wilkinson

The move to create a 93-mile fibre network has been sparked by a partnership between Edinburgh-based telecoms firm Commsworld and network specialist CityFibre, which is working on a similar scheme in Aberdeen.

Under the first phase of the Edinburgh project, due to begin construction this summer, the two companies will deploy about 31 miles of fibre network in central Edinburgh to bring gigabit speeds – up to 100 times faster than the UK average – to more than 7,000 companies.

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Commsworld chief executive Ricky Nicol said: “As a company constantly looking for new ways of improving communication solutions for businesses, we are hugely excited to have partnered with CityFibre to bring the benefits of pure fibre connectivity to our customers and to the city of Edinburgh as a whole.

“Ultra-fast gigabit connectivity appeals hugely to digitally dependant businesses and this is only going to grow with time. It will soon become the standard, driving productivity, innovation and the bottom line.”

Yesterday’s announcement was welcomed by finance secretary and Deputy First Minister John Swinney, who said the plans for Aberdeen and Edinburgh “will make a key contribution to our vision of Scotland having world class digital connectivity by 2020”.

Aim-quoted CityFibre, which is due to post its annual results before the end of this month, has also launched “gigabit city” projects in Coventry, Peterborough and York.

Chief executive Greg Mesch said: “CityFibre has gathered considerable pace in the last 12 months and we are delighted to be embarking on our biggest Gigabit City project yet, which underlines the scale of our ambition. With thriving financial, tech and media sectors, Edinburgh’s businesses are poised to take advantage of a digital head-start, providing them with a competitive advantage at home and abroad.”

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