Transco invests £235m in fibre optic network

NEWS Transco, the UK gas transportation company, is to invest £235m in a national fibre optic telecommunications network. The new telecommunications link will connect 12 major urban centres around the UK providing high-speed phone and Internet access to ISPs, telecommunications operators and corporate users. Transco, a subsidiary of British Gas, intends to use the new network to provide increased telecom services, including managed bandwidth and voice and data offerings. The network and additional services will be operating within 12 months. A British Gas spokeswoman told silicon.com: "The beauty of fibre optics is that it allows a greater volume to be transmitted at a greater speed. It is cutting edge technology." She added that the network will be installed beside existing British Gas pipelines to minimise disruption. The fibre optic infrastructure will include spare capacity that can be sold or leased at a later date to raise revenue for further expansion. Transco is also looking at the possibility of trading with existing utility companies, allowing them access to increased infrastructure capacity for future services.