Geo Networks announces partnership with EirGrid to deliver its second Anglo-Irish fibre route
7 Terabit capacity in conjunction with €600 million EU Interconnector project
London, United Kingdom, 13 May 2011 –Geo Networks (Geo), a provider of high-performance fibre networks, has signed a commercial agreement with Eirgrid, Ireland’s prominent electricity system operator and developer, to provide a second fibre optic subsea cable between the UK and Ireland. This route forms the second half of the diverse fibre connectivity ring between North Wales and Dublin, providing Anglo-Irish businesses with the most secure, reliable and advanced network availability.
The new deal will see Geo as the exclusive provider of fibre connectivity, commercialising part of Eirgrid’s East-West Interconnector, an electricity link between Rush, Dublin and Prestatyn, Wales. The route will provide up to 7 Terabits (7000 Gigabits) of new data transfer capacity between the UK and Ireland, extending Geo’s existing 3,000km UK national network into national facilities across Ireland, including the Dublin T50 fibre ring.
Chris Smedley, Chief Executive of Geo said: “As businesses start to build their way out of the economic downturn, it is vital that their infrastructure supports their needs. By working with EirGrid to establish a dual route, the delivery of critical data-intensive traffic is guaranteed, providing the solid foundation that enables business expansion. Customers on both sides of the Irish Sea will benefit from a single service provider offering a combination of two routes between the UK and Ireland, and the diversity will provide unequalled resilience, unmatched in service availability.”
The cable offers an alternative, diverse route to Geo’s recently announced joint venture to build its first subsea route, which has already secured Cogent Communications as its anchor customer. The combination of both cables in one offering will guarantee Geo’s customers the highest levels of service availability on the market.
Speaking about the commercial arrangement, EirGrid Chief Executive, Dermot Byrne, said: “Fast broadband has huge potential to strengthen economic activity in Ireland and increase job opportunities in Ireland’s growing high tech and online sectors. The commercialisation of a portion of the Interconnector communications system will greatly enhance existing telecommunications offerings in Ireland, as well as increasing market competition.”
With critical planning elements such as the marine surveys and route selection already complete, the construction of the Interconnector is now fully underway, and connectivity on the fibre optic cable is due to go live September 2012.
Ends
For Geo, contact Caroline Beer or Nicola Garvin, +44 (0)20 3100 3796/+44 (0)20 3100 3586 or geoPRteam@metia.com.
For EirGrid, contact Valerie Hedin +353 87 951 6805 or valerie.hedin@eirgrid.com
About Geo
Geo is the only company in the UK solely focused on the designing and building of bespoke dedicated fibre network solutions. Geo’s revolutionary and flexible approach means that for the first time, organisations can own and control their networks, ensuring that security, high bandwidth and resilience are guaranteed. By allowing its customers to directly own and control the underlying optical fibre that is at the heart of their data network, Geo is the only truly open access network provider in the UK. It provides an extensive range of solutions including fully managed networks, dark fibre and co-location services. Geo enables network solutions throughout the UK and in the London area. Customers include mobile operators, service providers, major banks and the public sector. Geo is listed as the 3rd fastest growing telecoms & networking company in the UK in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 list for 2010. Visit www.geo-uk.net for more information.
About EirGrid
EirGrid plc is a leading Irish energy business, dedicated to the provision of transmission and market services for the benefit of electricity consumers. It is a state-owned commercial company. EirGrid holds licences as independent electricity Transmission System Operator (TSO) and Market Operator (MO) in the wholesale trading system in Ireland, and is the owner of the System Operator Northern Ireland (SONI Ltd), the licenced TSO and market operator in Northern Ireland. The Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO) is part of the EirGrid Group.
The East West Interconnector will represent an investment of €600 million. It will create a two-way power transmission between the nations by end of 2012, supplying enough energy to power 300,000 homes.
The EirGrid East West Interconnector will improve the security of energy supplies, promote competition in the electricity sector, and encourage the growth of renewable energy.
ABB, the Swedish engineering firm was awarded the contract to design, manufacture and install the interconnector.
Approximately 200 jobs have been created in Ireland and Wales during the construction phase.
The interconnector is being developed by EirGrid, working closely with the Commission for Energy Regulation, and will be owned by EirGrid following its completion. EirGrid has obtained an interconnector licence to the UK’s Gas and Electricity Markets Authority under Section 6 (1) (e) of the Electricity Act of 1989.
Visit www.eirgrid.com for more information.
