On all counts, whether it is security of service, value for
money, future proofing, or fast, reliable connections, Glasgow
satisfies the most demanding technology requirements of today's
progressive companies.
The city has one of the most sophisticated and competitive
telecommunications environments in Europe. Glasgow's telecoms are
100% digital and a number of providers operate in the city,
resulting in highly competitive prices.
Broadband provision includes cable, ADSL, SDSL, leased line,
satellite and wireless. The city has modern high-capacity
fibre-optic links and remains at the forefront of modern
technology.
Massive Investment
Much of Glasgow's technology advantage stems from a massive
investment by BT of £50 million in the city's broadband
infrastructure which has helped push Glasgow to the forefront in
technology terms.
BT chose Glasgow as the location of its Data Hosting Facility,
which is the largest in the UK. The centre provides companies with
access to high speed internet services and rapid interconnection
into global networks.
In 2006, Glasgow was voted Europe's top telecoms provider in the
annual survey conducted by the prestigious Foreign Direct
Investment magazine.
Glasgow is certainly in the vanguard of digital technology and
the city's commitment to developing telecoms infrastructure will
continue to benefit all companies in the IFSD.
Security of Service
New office properties in the IFSD are served by a dual optical
fibre broadband network - if there's a problem with one exchange,
business goes on regardless. And there's immediate telecoms and
data installation in all new IFSD commercial property, allowing
companies to relocate in Glasgow with ease.
Glasgow is also home to over 100 contact centres, employing
around 18,000 people - leading to the development of a very expert
telecoms support and service network.
In particular, the IFSD caters for the business and technology
challenges faced by the financial services sector. Specific
benefits include:
- Catering for high-speed Internet access and web-enabled
customer contact centres, it is ideal for multi-channel Customer
Relationship Centres.
- Next generation ATM switching technology allows fast transfer
of data in seconds,without bandwidth problems, integrating voice,
video and data on one network.
- 100% digital infrastructure with a large choice of
providers.
- Hundreds of wi-fi hotspots enable connectivity outside the
office.
- Choice of operators means that costs are amongst the lowest in
Europe
Many operators offer fibre connectivity to Edinburgh, London and
globally thereafter.
- Ten operators have backbones to England
- Large numbers of operators have intra-city fibre rings -
offering almost unlimited capacity
- All four traditional mobile phone networks offer high quality
coverage in Glasgow
- Leased lines available from thirteen operators
- Direct links to London and Edinburgh Internet Exchange Points
(IXPs)
Glasgow and the IFSD strive continually to maintain their
position at the forefront in technology infrastructure. The city
was one of the first locations for 3G roll-out in the UK, and
Glasgow's ongoing adoption, promotion and development of ICT saw
the city named the World's Intelligent Community of the Year 2004
by the eminent New York based Intelligent Community Foundation.
Companies at the forefront of ICT already located in Glasgow
include JP Morgan's European software development centre which
employs 700 qualified computer graduates and software engineers,
recruited mainly from Glasgow's universities and colleges and Dell
which, in 2005, selected Glasgow as the location for its Technical
Support Centre.
Further Information
If you have any queries or would like more information on the
range of support available to financial services companies in
Glasgow, then contact Vikki Kewney of Scottish Enterprise on
0141 228 2615 or at ifsd.enquiries@scotent.co.uk