13th January 2010

Fibre optic network will provide schools, libraries and other public offices with super fast connectivity to support delivery of services across the city.

City of York Council has signed a ten year contract (eight years, with the possibility of a two year extension) worth £13.7 million for the initial eight year period with Pinacl Solutions and H2O Networks to provide it with a managed service environment for networking across the city-wide Council’s estate which includes 67 schools, 14 libraries, accommodation and council offices as well as sports facilities.

H2O Networks has begun building the dark fibre network around the city which will provide super fast broadband connectivity – up to 10Gbps - as well as allowing delivery of core services such as IP telephony and core Council applications, the network has the ability to deliver other services including video conferencing, CCTV and a variety of Urban Traffic Management services. Most importantly it will exceed upcoming BECTA guidelines for school connectivity and will support around 24,000 pupils in the locality.

Roy Grant, Head of ICT, City of York Council said: “The widespread adoption of the services has not been possible due to bandwidth limitations and costs, but with the new dark fibre network those restrictions are removed and new advanced boundaries can be considered.

“Not only will we be able to link up existing council buildings and facilities, including our new headquarters which will available for occupation in 2012, but the city-wide network will give us the potential to attract new businesses to York offering them low-cost connectivity to the network.

“This latest contract win for Pinacl solutions and its key partner H20 Networks will provide City of York Council with a single point of contact, faster response and the flexibility we require to deliver a better controlled infrastructure – possibly the best network footprint across any local authority in the UK.”

Mark Lowe, Director of Sales & Marketing, Pinacl Solutions said: “When we originally responded to the managed service tender and approached H2O Networks about using its solution for the core of the wide area network, we were recognised by City of York Council for our innovative approach and how this solution offered it unprecedented future proof investment.

“Our dedicated team on site will be supporting the existing and new data network for the Council and education sites, the voice network and the new school security solution. We are very excited about working with Council to deliver all the aspects of the managed service and in particular the ability to look forwards and provide new services and applications.”

Roy Shelton, Managing Director, H2O Networks said: “Once the network is live, City of York Council will have the ability to improve access for all citizens to council services and facilities over the Internet.

“In addition, other third party business users and consumers will be able to access services provided by and through the network – the obvious example being visitors and tourists to the city. Future wireless access across the city could enable users to receive downloads of audio guides applicable to the many tourist attractions throughout the city – the opportunities the new network will provide are limitless.”

The completion of the whole network should be in place by September 2010.