Fibrezone - Powered by H2O Networks

H2O Networks increases its fibre optic footprint in Sheffield

Work has begun on Yorkshire's first Fibrezone, an innovation in fibre optic networks which will allow businesses and organisations to access carrier grade connectivity at a fraction of the cost associated with buying or deploying fibre optic networks.

The Fibrezone, being built by H2O Networks, part of the i3 Group, is a dark fibre optic cable ring deployed around Sheffield city-centre that will allow businesses and organisations within the catchment area of the Fibrezone to easily connect to the fibre ring in order to benefit from unlimited super fast connectivity. This model significantly lowers the cost of building bespoke fibre optic networks for H2O's customers.

The Fibrezone builds on an existing 7km fibre optic cable deployed two years ago for ASK4, the UK's leading independent supplier of broadband Internet services to multiple tenanted developments including student accommodation, luxury flats and managed offices.

Jonathan Hudson, managing director of ASK4, said: "Our customers demand fast, efficient and cost effective methods to access secure and speedy broadband and connectivity. Fibre optic cabling provides this, along with unlimited bandwidth. The way that H2O deploys the fibre cable is also very environmentally friendly so there's little disruption to the local area and traffic flows during the installation.

"We are welcoming the extension of H2O's fibre optic footprint in Sheffield, as it means we will be able to reach more of our customers, including more local businesses far more cost effectively."

Roy Shelton, commercial director at H2O Networks said: "Over the last two years, ASK4 customers have been able to benefit from super fast connectivity because of the fibre optic network we built for them. This Fibrezone sees us extending our fibre footprint in Sheffield, providing low cost unlimited bandwidth, allowing homes and businesses throughout the city to connect. Our success in Sheffield has proven there is a huge demand for Fibrezone and will therefore drive our planned rollout of a further 10 over the next 12 months."

Fibrezone makes fibre optic connectivity accessible by deploying the fibre optic cable using i3 Group's unique patented FS System which utilises ready made ducts including the waste water network. This avoids expensive road digs which not only reduces the build costs but also significantly reduces disruption to the environment and traffic flows in the local area.

Deploying a H2O Networks dark fibre network and connecting to Fibrezone means that businesses and organisations can benefit from:

• Much lower costs of entry and have more predictable and reduced total cost of ownership over a 10 year period
• Unlimited future proof connectivity
• A guaranteed robust and resilient telecommunications network which can be easily scaled as the requirements change.

In addition to Fibrezone, i3 Group's subsidiary Fibrecity Holdings will be connecting more than one million homes across the UK in the next ten years. These town and city-wide 100Mbps networks, capable of delivering next generation services, will connect all new and existing homes bringing a true fibre to the home (FTTH) experience.

Work will be completed on the 15km ring in Sheffield at the end of September. For more information on how to connect to the Fibrezone, please call 01942 868640 or email info@h2o-networks.uk.net