The Islington based project turns a London Superfast Broadband “Not Spot” into a Hotspot providing businesses working in a converted bus factory with affordable high speed connectivity. RICS has recognised the innovative approach to delivering affordable Superfast broadband to SMEs by shortlisting it as a finalist in the infrastructure category. Superconnected Busworks has been ranked alongside high profile projects that include Fulham Jetty, Paddington Integrated Project, and Terminal 2 – The Queen’s Terminal.
The RICS Awards are regarded as the premier property and construction Awards in the country. Venus Business Communications Superconnected Busworks project has been shortlisted in the RICS awards 2015 infrastructure category. The project brings Superfast Broadband to a community of 300 businesses in a Broadband “Not Spot” of North London, adding value to a building over 100 years old and a boost to the property owners. Busworks, once an old Victorian bus depot, provides contemporary and exciting office premises, but Superfast broadband had not been available previously making it a “Broadband Not Spot”. Venus Business Communications has adopted a unique business model that makes the delivery of this infrastructure sustainable and cost-effective for small businesses. A partnership approach that engaged Busworks management and BDUK’s Superconnected Cities scheme levered £30,000 from the Superconnected Cities scheme that funded the majority of the project.
Brian Iddon, Director of Venus Business Communications said: “Many small businesses believe that superfast broadband in London is either unaffordable or not available and this project illustrates this is not the case. Superfast services are normally delivered using Fibre to the Cabinet technology. We implemented Superfast Broadband delivery at Busworks using a direct connection to the Venus London Network. This provides a more flexible lower cost solution that avoids the need for street cabinets and utilises distribution nodes within the building. Working closely with Superconnected Cities Scheme, the businesses in Busworks can now compete in today’s digital economy. We would urge network providers in the industry to think innovatively about delivery mechanisms that work for smaller businesses where fibre to cabinet is not an option. I am delighted that RICS has looked at the innovative approach taken by Venus to deliver Superfast Broadband to a London Not Spot and shortlisted it as a Finalist.”
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Today’s markets are more competitive than ever and it is essential London’s businesses have the cutting-edge technology at their fingertips that will enable them to drive our economy forwards. Venus’ Superconnected Busworks is a prime example of a business taking full advantage of a scheme designed specifically to help our firms become super-connected and supercharged, ready to thrive and expand. I wish them the very best for the RICS Awards but most importantly they illustrate that superfast connectivity is widely available and affordable from a range of suppliers for small businesses in our city.”