The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is investing in a digital ‘spine’ to connect the region’s key digital assets.
It has announced plans for a 260km full fibre network, covering all six local authority areas within its borders, to enable ultra-fast internet for every home, school, business, hospital and other locations.
Among the assets to be connected are the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Hartree super computer at Daresbury and GTT fibre optic cable, which carries internet traffic between the UK, North America and the rest of the world and comes ashore in Southport.
The authority highlighted the potential of the network to support healthcare, notably in high resolution scanning and data transfer, along with improving access to public services and attracting new businesses to the region.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, said: “We are at the forefront of digital developments in the UK and we want to stay there. That’s why we are working to create this digital spine, to ensure that all six areas in our city region are connected to ultra-fast fibre broadband.
“We live in a digital world, where connectivity shapes every aspect of our lives. So, with the vision and creativity here in our city region, using assets such as the Hartree super computer and GTT fibre optic cable, we can be sure that ultra-fast fibre broadband will bring untold opportunities for our digital future. And we will make sure that the Liverpool City Region is in the best place to make the most of those opportunities.”
Image by Greg Clarke, CC BY 2.0 through flickr
