The Custard Factory and the Big Peg get super-fast fibre broadband connections
Around 800 businesses based in two landmark Birmingham buildings - The Custard Factory and The Big Peg - can now get some of the fastest fibre broadband speeds in the UK, following an agreement with Openreach, BT’s local network business.
Under the agreement, Openreach has deployed its latest fibre to the premises (FTTP) technology throughout the two buildings allowing each business based there to have its own dedicated fibre link.
It means businesses based in the two buildings can access broadband download speeds of up to 330 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of up to 30Mbps*. These ‘ultra-fast’ fibre broadband speeds enable businesses to do any online task, from file sharing to HD video conferencing, in a fraction of the time it takes with broadband delivered over copper cables.
Like the rest of the Openreach network, this new FTTP network is ‘open’ so businesses at the two sites can choose from a number of different communications providers of fibre broadband and have the flexibility and freedom to find the best deal for their company.
The Custard Factory in Digbeth is the UK’s leading regional destination for creative and digital businesses and independent retailers. It is home to 500 businesses ranging from innovative start-ups and SMEs to nationally renowned companies such as Maverick TV and global brands such as ASOS.
The Big Peg is a landmark building for entrepreneurs and growing companies in the heart of the resurgent Jewellery Quarter, with the new Golden Square public square currently under construction at the foot of the building.
Lucan Gray, proprietor of The Custard Factory and The Big Peg, said: “Creative and digital are two of the areas where Birmingham businesses can and do compete globally. These are vital growth sectors for our economy. Geography is no barrier for ideas based businesses. However, fast connectivity is one of the most important ingredients to enable the City's creative and digital working community to thrive.
“The arrival of Openreach’s FTTP technology offers ‘ultra-fast’ connection speeds, and a wide choice of provider with no installation costs. It’s a pretty compelling package. ”
Ian Binks, BT’s regional manager for Birmingham and the West Midlands, said: “This is a pioneering agreement – and a first for Openreach in Birmingham - to enable some of the city’s leading creative entrepreneurs to make the most of the latest communications technology, which we hope to replicate elsewhere in Birmingham.
“We worked together to overcome some technical challenges to complete the engineering work as quickly as possible.”
Note to Editor
*These are the top wholesale speeds available from Openreach to all service providers; speeds offered by service providers may vary.
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About The Custard Factory
The Custard Factory, Digbeth, is the UK’s leading regional destination for creative and digital businesses, independent shops and cultural activity. It is set in 15 acres of riverside factories which were originally home to British household brand Birds Custard. Since its redevelopment in 1993, The Custard Factory has driven forward the renaissance of Digbeth. Today, the burgeoning Custard Factory quarter is home to an eclectic mix of businesses from innovative start-ups and entrepreneurs to nationally renowned companies such as Maverick TV and global brands such as ASOS. It is 15 minutes’ walk from the Bullring and on the doorstep of the new HS2 rail terminus for Birmingham.
For more information please www.custardfactory.co.uk
