SSE Enterprise Telecoms awarded £10.5m for regional Scottish network

News and Business

UK connectivity provider Enterprise Telecoms, has been awarded a £10.5 million full fibre project by Aberdeenshire Council, spanning up to 200km, with the aim of improving the delivery of public services to the community and boosting economic activity and quality of life in the area. This latest collaboration is a continuation of a 20-year-old partnership between the two parties.

The 18-month project will combine SSE Enterprise Telecoms’ existing fibre network with Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) to create a new Dark Fibre network, allowing for quicker delivery and realisation of economic and social benefits in the area.

The project comes under the banner of the Aberdeen City Region Deal (ACRD). It is part of a funding allocation designed to improve the region’s digital infrastructure, key to the long-term future of the local economy. Funding from the Aberdeen City Region Deal provides the opportunity to create a sustainable digital infrastructure from which the region can transform into a world-class digital area. At the core is the need to deliver ultrafast connectivity and to use this to deliver excellent public services; grow existing businesses; attract further investment; create new businesses; support mobility; protect the environment; and enhance the area’s attractiveness as a place to live and work.

The project will provide gigabit Dark Fibre out to public sector locations such as schools and National Health Service sites in a number of towns in a belt around Aberdeen. Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council and NHS Grampian will benefit directly as the users of the fibre to deliver services and improve efficiency. In addition, SSE Enterprise Telecoms will further invest in the infrastructure and offer capacity and services to mobile operators and internet service providers. This will increase service availability and speeds for residents and businesses in Aberdeenshire. It will also ensure that the region is fit for the 21st century, and will complement the existing gigabit fibre offer in the city.

The end-to-end full fibre network will initially connect 189 public sector sites across the region. Aberdeenshire residents will benefit from limited disruption with SSE Enterprise Telecoms using 43km of its existing Dark Fibre network to reduce the amount of construction during implementation. This will then be supplemented with 130km of new Dark Fibre network that will be created to maximise the number of premises served for the budget. This optimum use of existing and new fibre pathways allows SSE Enterprise Telecoms to reach more locations than a conventional construction project reducing the total construction requirement by around 80%.

Chair of the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint Committee, and leader of Aberdeenshire Council Jim Gifford said, “The digital elements of our City Region Deal are among the most important, in terms of helping businesses and communities see a demonstrable change thanks to the Deal. The ACRD remains about being progressive, delivering tangible benefits and laying out a road map for the future to ensure the ongoing stability of our region. We can all agree that in the current circumstances that is almost more important than ever.”

For more information, visit www.ssetelecoms.com