The North East company of the year has been appointed to deliver a next-generation full fibre network serving hundreds of public sector sites across the region.
Newcastle City Council has appointed Gateshead's Aspire Technology Solutions to deliver the network in partnership with Virgin Media Business Wholesale.
The venture is expected to boost business productivity and deliver million of pounds in local economic benefits, while also providing a platform for a new generation of smart city applications.
The project will see vital public sector sites including hospitals, schools and government buildings benefiting from full fibre 100 gigabit connectivity, a move which aims to futureproof services and enable them to adopt new technologies.
The company, which is growing fast after helping a raft of customers adapt to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, was named Company of the Year at the North East Business Awards last year when the grand final which was held virtually for the first time in its 20-year history.
The business was launched 14 years ago by Chris Fraser and Nigel Begg and now employs 160 people, prompting its planned move from Heworth Hall to Pipewell Quay – the former Baja Beach Club night spot – where it has taken up a 12-year lease for the entire building.
Now Aspire is keen to further advance Newcastle’s digital transformation, following on from being named ‘Smart City of the Year 2020’ for its innovative approach in using technology to help transform services and improve the lives of residents.
The company has set out ambitious plans for improving digital innovation across the North East.
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Supported by Virgin Media Business Wholesale, Aspire launched its own full fibre North East network in 2018 after a £2.5m investment in local infrastructure.
Known as Ultrafast Dedicated Connectivity (UDC), it offers North East businesses internet connectivity of up to 100 gigabits per second, some of the fastest speeds and one of the most reliable services available in the 海角视频.
As part of the full fibre rollout, Aspire will significantly grow its existing UDC network and planning is now under way, as it prepares to boost its infrastructure to serve Newcastle’s needs.
The full fibre initiative is supported by the Government’s Local Full Fibre Network programme.
Aspire has been awarded a 20-year contract to install the network by 2022 and provide ongoing support.
Chris Fraser, managing director at Aspire, said: “We are living and working in unparalleled times and that requires a focus on innovative outcomes. Spending cuts and the on-going pressures of Covid-19 make it an incredibly challenging time for all.
"Yet, there is still a huge opportunity for public services and local businesses to take a step forward in their communication and cloud capabilities to support their people and their customers.”
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Coun Joyce McCarty, deputy leader of Newcastle City Council said: “At Newcastle City Council, we are committed to maintaining economic competitiveness and achieving social inclusion for our businesses and residents, having widely available, high-speed, affordable and reliable gigabit connectivity is the enabler to helping us achieve this.
"Aspire have already made great progress towards improving digital innovation across our region. We are excited to be working with their talented team to realise our ambitions of putting digital at the heart of our city.”