13/10/09 Atlas News

Atlas reveals new high speed plans for Newry

02/10/09 (Source: The Irish News)

Northern Irish company Atlas Communications has announced that it will deliver enhanced communication services to Newry, which will give the city direct access to a next generation internet network to attract foreign investment to the area.

Atlas will utilize its existing network infrastructure to help set up a dedicated point-of-presence (POP) in Newry, which will help Newry to attract outside investment by connecting it to Project Kelvin, the new high-speed, trans-Atlantic fibre optic cable, which digitally links Northern Ireland directly to the USA.

"We've been working for some time to develop a point-of-presence in Newry, as we believe there is demand  for the high speed broadband and other services our company delivers," said Richard Simpson, Marketing Manager, Atlas Communications. "By establishing a dedicated local presence, we are excited to open up extreme, high speed internet to Newry, and deliver next-generation broadband services that will help attract new business to the city."

With attracting outside investment to Newry a key priority to the city's business community, having a POP in Newry will allow Atlas and other internet service providers, to connect customers directly to the internet instead of at the nearest telephone exchange, effectively reducing customers' contention rates, and improving the speed and quality of communication services available.

Welcoming this announcement, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said, "Atlas Communications is to be commended for making this investment decision and expanding its operations to include Newry. The company clearly believes the new Point of Presence, including a connection to the Kelvin Direct International link, will prove attractive to businesses in Newry as well as potential foreign direct investors.  I hope we will see many more announcements like this from local companies as they seize the opportunities the new direct international link will bring."

Atlas' POP will give Newry direct access to Project Kelvin, as Atlas recently signed a deal with the cable's provider, Hibernia Atlantic, to become the first Northern Irish company with access to this new high speed internet supply.

With diverse routing to the US, and links into London through LINX and Dublin through INEX, and cross-border to Dundalk, Newry will have access to one of the most complete, next generation internet networks available in the UK.

"The Newry business community welcomes Atlas Communications announcement on the creation of a Newry POP and the increased provision for fibre optic connectivity to the United States which this service will provide," said Orla Jackson, Chief Executive of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade. "Newry Chamber is committed to ensuring that local businesses and prospective investors to the region have the opportunity to avail of the best competitive advantage in terms of international connectively, pricing structures and enhanced service provision'.

Atlas is planning to have the POP in place within 12 months, and is currently looking at prospective locations to house the dedicated site, which will act as hub for high-tech businesses.

Story featured in Irish News. Click here to read on www.irishnews.com.