INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Cabling
Colt and Getlink to install and operate a new fibre optic network through the Channel Tunnel
The Colt and Getlink agreement will bring new dark fibre and data services to the Channel Tunnel for the first time in a generation , deploying the latest connectivity technology between the UK and mainland Europe .
Colt Technology Services and Getlink have announced a 25-year contract , which will see Colt install its IQ Network through the Channel Tunnel , allowing a transfer capacity of several Terabits per second per fibre pair .
This agreement will generate a minimum of € 185m over the period for Getlink , with more than a third secured over the first five years . Colt will carry out the installation and entire operation of the IQ Network in accordance with the Channel Tunnel ’ s safety and security regulations , while Getlink will be responsible for maintenance .
Colt will fully commercialise Getlink ’ s Channel Tunnel optic fibre and increase Getlink ’ s internal telecoms capacity – a unique subsea infrastructure and connectivity route that has never seen downtime .
The quality of the asset will allow the customers to benefit from span diversity .
The Colt IQ Network is a 100Gbps optimised , high bandwidth and low latency network that connects over 900 data centres and over 29,000 on net buildings globally .
The contracts for dark fibre installed in the Tunnel in 1998 will progressively expire until 2025 and Colt will take over their operation . The significant increase in bandwidth between the UK and mainland Europe will help meet the high growth in data traffic expected by 2025 , making the Channel Tunnel a vital link not only for passengers and goods but also for data .
Yann Leriche , Chief Executive Officer of Getlink , said : “ The strategic location and the reliability offered by the tunnel make our infrastructure very attractive for high-tech developments such as fibre optics . We are happy to once again leverage the Channel Tunnel asset to create the most value for our shareholders .”
Keri Gilder , Chief Executive Officer of Colt , said : “ Colt is thrilled to have entered this strategic agreement with Getlink . There is a growing demand for bandwidth between the UK and mainland Europe , which will only increase in the coming years .
By running our IQ Network through the Channel Tunnel , Colt customers will benefit from reliable , low latency , high bandwidth connectivity with the option of full diversity across the entire tunnel span .
The future potential of the tunnel connectivity is significant and it ’ s an exciting time for the wider telco industry as we continue to leverage the power of relationships to drive Digital Transformation and move towards the digital future .” p
66 INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE www . intelligentcio . com