UPC to extend reach of digital TV via BT Ethernet rings

21 Jun 2010

BT’s Ethernet network across Ireland will prove instrumental in enabling cable provider UPC to expand its reach to six large regional towns.

BT and UPC have signed a five-year, multi-million euro deal that will see BT’s next-generation Ethernet network used to allow UPC to expand the reach of its digital services to large regional towns.

A northern ring will serve Sligo, Athlone and Mullingar, while a southern ring will deliver UPC services to Portlaoise, Carlow and Newbridge.

“Over the past year, BT has invested in a national rollout of BT Etherflow, which is among the most advanced next-generation Ethernet services available in the Irish market,” explained said Shay Walsh, managing director, BT Wholesale.

“This has facilitated a new era in high-speed connectivity, and we’re delighted that we can offer customers like UPC tailored, cost-effective network solutions that allows them to grow their business and meet their customers’ requirements,” Walsh said.

Etherflow, BT’s Ethernet service, is a scalable technology that can grow with a business at a lower price per megabit than existing network services.

Removing the complexity around ICT infrastructure, Etherflow enables BT to provide an end-to-end network service, a one-stop shop with local access circuits at one end and seamless connectivity to BT’s global networks at the other.

“This contract marks a strategic evolvement of a long-standing relationship with BT Ireland,” said Bill Daly, network vendor manager of UPC Ireland.

“Through the design stages of this project, BT displayed openness to UPC’s specific needs in terms of a future-proofed television broadcast network. This willingness to mould their products to our needs helped to conclude the deal.

“The Gigabit Ethernet rings enable UPC to widen the reach of their product portfolio to more homes and businesses across the six regional towns,” Daly said.

“Furthermore, infrastructural developments of this kind contribute to Ireland Inc, building a world-class smart economy that links regional towns in Ireland with each other and to deliver a competitive platform to compete on a global scale.”

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com