The installation of a full fibre network for Aberdeenshire, which will provide connectivity to 192 public sector buildings, has been completed.
Neos Networks has announced the completion of the project, which has taken place under a partnership with Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council and NHS Grampian as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal.
It comes from a combined regional investment of £10.5 million, including contributions from the UK and Scottish governments, and provides a network stretching to 170 miles linking six major locations – Aberdeen, Westhill, Stonehaven, Banchory, Inverurie and Ellon – and smaller communities between them.
As a dark fibre network it can also provide connectivity for 1,700 business premises and 44,000 homes.
Aberdeen City Council co-leader Cllr Alex Nicoll said: “The £11.5 million full fibre project has transformed connectivity to our public sector sites throughout the region. Additionally, it has given the contractor the opportunity to offer services to local businesses and residents to access far better connectivity in areas that were poorly served previously.
“I was very pleased that as a result, the investment is also delivering significant community benefits which was recognised by winning the Go Awards Social Value Category demonstrating robust and progressive approaches to fair work practices. Having delivered two out of three digital projects funded by the deal our focus is now on delivering the final phase which will deliver even more digital connectivity in the region.”
Scale and aspiration
Aberdeenshire’s deputy leader Cllr Anne Stirling said: “It can be hard to really understand a lot of the scale and aspiration of projects like city region deals, but improving connectivity for communities and helping improve public services through better digital connections is something tangible.
“The benefits of the full fibre network will touch healthcare, schools, homes, businesses in the deal area and it is so positive to see another project coming to completion under our city region deal.”
Sarah Mills, chief revenue officer for Neros Networks, highlighted the connections to the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, more than 40 medical centres and over 50 schools and colleges.
As part of the partnership the company has also held a STEM careers event and ran the Engineering Development Trust Industrial Cadets online programme.
