Welsh Assembly Government – FibreSpeed

FibreSpeed

FibreSpeed is a world class communications network stretching from Holyhead to Manchester. Connecting business parks, industrial estates and other locations across six counties, this unique government-sponsored commercial network provides high-speed broadband services that transform the business landscape by stimulating economic growth and encouraging innovation, enterprise and inward investment.

The Challenge

The Welsh Assembly saw how the cost of high quality communications services in North Wales, up to six times more expensive than London, was inhibiting economic growth and innovation.

The Solution

Wales needed its own robust infrastructure and selected Geo on the strength of its approach of designing, building, operating and commercialising the network. By promoting the network as a wholesale offering to service providers Geo showed a clear return on investment over time. FibreSpeed Limited was born, a new subsidiary that could operate the 200-mile network independently and manage its wholesale promotion. By its launch, multiple service providers had already signed up and begun to roll out new high-speed broadband and wireless services.

The Benefits

FibreSpeed enables public and private sectors to share high-capacity optical fibre infrastructure and its wholesale pricing structure allows service providers to be more competitive. These benefits cascade down to businesses and homes in the form of high-speed connections, better services – and lower bills. A new, vibrant telecoms market has been created, where service providers can easily extend the network to more rural areas via their own network infrastructure or wireless solutions. Our world-class infrastructure gives businesses the platform to innovate, grow or relocate to the region while improving the quality of life for everyone.

What out clients say

Geo delivered the complete network, but it was their approach to commercialisation that really cemented the deal. The FibreSpeed model encourages new business and generates competition to deliver tangible economic benefits to Wales.

Chris Johnson, Head of FibreSpeed Projects, Welsh Assembly Government