SSE Enterprise Telecoms – one of the UK’s leading connectivity suppliers, and part of SSE plc – today announced that it has signed an ‘operating licence to deploy’ agreement with Thames Water, enabling the distribution of SSE Enterprise Telecoms’ fibre optic cables throughout Thames Water’s waste water network. The deal comes as SSE Enterprise Telecoms seeks new, innovative routes to expand its footprint.
A consequence of the recent Dark Fibre Access (DFA) ruling – that rival providers will not be able to access BT Openreach’s existing fibre optic cables to increase competition and end user services – has meant that SSE Enterprise Telecoms has sought new and creative ways to enable connectivity.
Tapping into waste water networks
Traditionally, telecoms networks have been created and expanded through civil construction ‘digs’, that involve laying cables just below the surface – a costly, time-intensive and disruptive way of establishing new connections. By utilising Thames Water’s already existing waste water system, SSE Enterprise Telecoms will be able to reduce network deployment costs by 60% and deploy connectivity services up to 10 times faster than through traditional digs.
Through the partnership, SSE Enterprise Telecoms will be able to establish a more physically secure network. Thames Water’s network sits as deep as 10 metres underground, making it much less susceptible to tampering or inadvertent outages, compared to conventional digs, in which telecommunications cable is laid as shallow as 12 inches below ground level. Laying fibre services deeper below the surface ensures the network is less vulnerable to accidental fibre breaks.
As utility companies, with common values of security and reliability, the partnership also underpins SSE Enterprise Telecoms and Thames Water’s aim to deliver excellent customer services.
“Businesses fundamentally rely on their network to underpin everyday operations,” said Mike Magee, Director of Service Solutions at SSE Enterprise Telecoms.
“With an ever-increasing demand for connectivity, network infrastructures require higher resiliency and improved diversity. Estimates suggest there are as many as 3,000 enterprises in the finance and insurance sectors in the City of London area alone, each vying for connectivity. This has made the demand for unique, truly diverse network routes hard to achieve. We’ve identified a way to solve this by leveraging the waste water network”.
Unique routing and a bespoke offering
The geographic spread of Thames Water’s waste water network means that SSE Enterprise Telecoms is well-positioned to offer bespoke, customer-driven network build-outs to leading risk-averse businesses in London and further afield.
