Internet firm invests £5m in new data centre

Internet firm Connexin is building a state of the art £5m data centre, which it says has been specially designed to accelerate Hull in its race to become one of the UK’s leading smart cities.

When the facility opens in December it will create 60 jobs including engineers, technicians, sales staff and event managers who will invite schools to use the space for learning about how the internet works.

Coonexin said the new data centre – which is called CXNDC – will create opportunities for local businesses and technology firms. The 200 plus rack facility has been designed to ‘tier-3’ reliability specifications and will bring more than 40,000 Mbps of internet connectivity to the region.

Furqan Alamgir, Connexin CEO, says: “Hull is not hanging about in its race to become a smart city.  Our investment is real, it’s happening and this state of the art data centre is proof of that. Hull is advancing technologically at pace and it’s a privilege to be part of it.”

Connexin has applied for planning permission with East Riding of Yorkshire Council to develop the facility on a 1.2-acre site at Bridgehead Business Park and has approached the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership’s funding programmes for support with the project costs.

It will also be the home for Connexin’s headquarters, which will include a cafe, 50+ seat auditorium for presentations and screenings, and a video conferencing suite.

David Donkin, property director at Wykeland, said: “Bridgehead is fast becoming the premier business location in the region and we are delighted Connexin have chosen Bridgehead to locate their new Data Centre and Head Office there.  It will be a fantastic addition and facility on the Business Park”.

Since Connexin won a key 10-year city centre Wi-Fi contract with Hull City Council, the company has expanded its work with local authorities across the UK and has rapidly become a leader in the smart cities sector.