Companies at Rotherwas will be able to access ultrafast broadband speeds after a contract was signed to install a high-speed fibre network on Skylon Park.
Herefordshire Council’s agreement with ITS Technology Group will see businesses benefit from the best data upload and download speeds available as the Enterprise Zone becomes the region’s first high technology-enabled business park.
The agreement between the council and the broadband provider has been formally confirmed which leads to the offer of a range of wholesale connectivity services, from superfast speeds of 30Mbps right up to ultrafast 1Gbps.
The services will be delivered using Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) along duct infrastructure already developed around Skylon Park.
Bill Jackson, Chairman of the Enterprise Zone, said: “We, with council backing, have already invested in ducting, around 4.5 km so far, in preparation for fibre based broadband services to be installed.
“ITS will add to that network, and install fibre through it to provide services to customers.
“Businesses need superfast and ultrafast broadband if they are to compete with other companies across the globe.
“It helps level a playing field for our investors, many of whom are dealing in complex and sensitive information, which they need to share across multiple sites around the UK and the world in different time zones. They simply cannot wait for hours to download or upload data.”
As well as high-speed broadband services being offered, business will also be able to take advantage of a range of cloud based digital services.
Councillor Tony Johnson, leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “I’m delighted we’re bringing best in class fibre connectivity to the Zone. This will really help the Zone’s competitiveness in attracting business investment.”
Roy Shelton, CEO at ITS said, “ITS have now signed a number of similar agreements to extend and commercialise councils’ assets in order to provide competitively priced and swiftly deployed high-speed broadband services.
“This agreement to design, build and operate Skylon Park’s high-speed fibre network will enable businesses to have further competitive advantage and support Herefordshire Council’s vision of a truly technology enabled business park. The first business users are now live with a growing demand to access our services.”
