Tech City companies launch the Shoreditch Network, bringing ultra-fast Internet and secure cloud services to start-ups
Collaboration between euNetworks, Carrenza and Optimity equips local businesses with fibre infrastructure and secure IT cloud services
London, 13th September 2012 – The Shoreditch Network collaboration officially launched today, delivering high speed fibre infrastructure and secure IT cloud services for the cluster of businesses in Shoreditch, East London. The collaboration comprises three Tech City based technology businesses – bandwidth infrastructure provider euNetworks, leading cloud hosting provider Carrenza, and network specialists Optimity.
Over the last year, a large number of technology focused businesses have located in the ‘Silicon Roundabout’ area. These businesses require both flexible and scalable bandwidth solutions to underpin their growth, with at times this presenting a procurement headache for both start-ups and established digital businesses alike. The Shoreditch Network offers a unique and flexible solution to this issue, delivering scalable bandwidth, networking and cloud based IT services to local businesses. Furthermore, these services are more than three times faster to install[i] and at least 20% cheaper than the current alternatives[ii]. At launch, many companies in Shoreditch will be able to sign up to these services[iii].
Commenting on the fibre infrastructure, Brady Rafuse, CEO of euNetworks, said: “Having the proper infrastructure in place is essential for any company working in the tech and digital space. As an established bandwidth infrastructure provider, we own and operate our own fibre based network which today runs through the streets of Shoreditch. That means we can rapidly scale the bandwidth being delivered to our customers. As part of the Shoreditch Network, we aim to support the growth of Tech City and encourage local innovation.”
Culture Secretary Maria Miller welcomed the arrival of the Shoreditch Network, saying: “Tech City is a real British success story, and this initiative will help it go from strength to strength. Ultra-fast connectivity and cloud services will help attract even more tech and digital companies to Shoreditch, helping bring fresh investment and new jobs to the capital.”
Dan Sutherland, CEO of Carrenza adds: “The scalable services we provide have been designed in such a way that companies are able to increase the services they use as they grow, without having to look for new suppliers or additional capacity and bandwidth as they achieve success. Technology is never a one size fits all solution – providing organisations with access to a secure flexible service, without long-term lock in, will be of great benefit to the whole area.”
Anthony Impey, Managing Director of Optimity said: “Our collaboration is what the digital community in Shoreditch is all about – expertise coming together to fix a problem. The services and infrastructure that we’ve built have the potential to turn Shoreditch into a giant business centre, with every business having access to all the tools that they need to drive growth and innovation.”
Tech City Investment Organisation’s (TCIO) Deputy CEO Ben Southworth responded to the news, saying: “Access to ultra-fast, reliable and affordable connectivity is critical to enable companies to benefit from the competitive advantage that such speeds provide. The Shoreditch Network is a fantastic example of the community coming together to create solutions that will benefit the whole Tech City area and more widely across London in time.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Shoreditch Network
The Shoreditch Network is a collaboration of three local Shoreditch technology businesses, leading cloud hosting provider Carrenza, networking specialists Optimity and bandwidth infrastructure provider euNetworks. The partnership came about from three like-minded organisations having a joint goal to ensure organisations have access to the infrastructure services they need and that help them to achieve their business goals.
Signing up is simple – interested companies can get in touch by phone, in person, via twitter or email, or on the Shoreditch Network website.
For more information go to www.shoreditchnetwork.com
[i] Figures are based on a direct comparison with an alternative supplier quoted to a business in an area covered by the Shoreditch Network. For 50Mb dedicated Internet access, this alternative suppliers’ ‘standard lead time’ was between 45 and 70 working days. The Shoreditch Networks’ lead time is 10 working days. For point-to-point 1Gigabit Ethernet, the alternative supplier quoted 33-60 working days. The Shoreditch Networks’ lead time is 20 working days or less for this service.
[ii] Figures are based on a direct comparison with an alternative supplier quoted to a business in an area covered by The Shoreditch Network.
[iii] The Shoreditch Network has already pre-connected several shared offices within Shoreditch to its fibre network, and using radio links can quickly and securely connect (within two weeks) many more offices in Shoreditch to the network; delivering up to 300Mb of connectivity. The radio links work by connecting on line of site. Almost all office buildings within Shoreditch can be directly connected to the fibre network based on tests to date. Radio links can be used to provide a high-speed, secure, private connection and, moreover, are ideal for supporting real-time services like voice and video.