The Loop links up to Telecity
FIFTY miles of fibre optic cabling around Manchester, known as The Loop, have been linked up to four data centres run by Telecity.
The Loop, part of the Newbury technology firm Gamma, has been connected to the centres through three miles of cable extensions.
Both companies say the move will increase the high capacity fibre connectivity available to businesses in the city. The scale of the investment was not disclosed.
The Loop, which offers speeds of one gigabyte per second, was put in the ground ahead of the Commonwealth Games by Atlantic Telecom which went into administration in 2002.
Its assets, which also included a national fibre network, were valued at £300m, but Gamma picked them up for £1.3m and has since built a national telecoms firm with revenues of £135m and around 100 staff at its technical base in Trafford Park.
The Loop was first unveiled in late 2012 when it was claimed Manchester City Council forgot the network existed and its presence only came to light following research by the think tank New Economy.
Its managing director Ashley Griffiths said: “Working with Telecity Group to deliver this extension of our fibre network will enable us to provide broader data centre connectivity and wider services to the Manchester business community. This new infrastructure will bring increased benefits to the local economy and supports Manchester’s ambition to be one of the top 20 digital cities in the world by 2020. It’s a great endorsement to be chosen by Telecity.”
Rob Coupland, managing director of Telecity Group UK, said: “The continued growth of the digital economy in Manchester means we are seeing greater than ever demand for enterprise-grade infrastructure and network services. We believe that investment in networks, internet exchange points and premium data centres in Manchester can enable the city’s digital economy to truly compete on an international scale. We’re delighted to be working with The Loop to provide Manchester businesses with the infrastructure they need to expand on a regional and international basis.”
