SSE Announces Acquisition of ATLAS Fibre Telecoms Networks

Monday, Mar 15, 2010

Scottish and Southern Energy Telecommunications ("SSET") has entered into an agreement with Scottish Enterprise to acquire the ATLAS Connect fibre telecommunications network. The ATLAS network spans six business parks across Scotland and will be integrated into SSET's existing national network.

SSET will work in partnership with Scottish Enterprise to integrate the ATLAS network into SSET's National fibre network and ensure a smooth transition for existing customers. As part of the acquisition agreement, SSET has also committed to invest around £1million completing the development and integration of the ATLAS network.

The ATLAS network was created by Scottish Enterprise in 2006 to promote the use of advanced broadband across Scotland. The network is built on a fibre optic ring topology and spans 55km across 6 business parks - Aberdeen, Dundee, Riccarton outside Edinburgh, Strathclyde Business Park in Lanarkshire, West of Scotland Science Park in Glasgow and Crichton in Dumfries - with direct, diverse fibre connectivity into around 350 business premises.

The integration of the ATLAS network will take SSET's fibre network to over 5,000km in length, with around a further 2600km in leased fibre. SSET also has 3,600km of microwave radio, giving it a total network of 11,200km.

Adrian Pike, Group MD of Contracting, Telecoms and Utility Solutions for SSE, said: "SSET and Scottish Enterprise believe combining the networks will create significant value, with the ATLAS park customers benefiting by being directly connected to SSET's extensive modern fibre network. The past year has also seen us enter the Data Centre market, and significantly increase our owned fibre and duct assets. Our strategy to provide market leading, high performance infrastructure for our growing client base remains on track."

Source: SSE