Virgin Media O2 Business has secured a contract to establish a dark fiber network for public sector sites in the Swansea region of southern Wales.
The network will connect 36 locations across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, improving connectivity for local authorities, healthcare providers, and universities.
The project is currently in the planning stages and is anticipated to be completed by December 2025. Local officials have indicated that it will lead to more reliable and cost-effective services while also stimulating economic growth.
Also Read: Virgin Media O2 and Accenture Collaborate on Private 5G Solutions for UK Enterprises
Limitless Capacity and Speeds
“Connecting our public sector sites to this type of infrastructure will only improve what can be offered and deliver a far more efficient public service now and in the future,” said Rob Stewart, leader of the Swansea Council and chair of the Swansea Bay City Deal Joint Committee.
“I have no doubt that this latest step forward will solidify our capabilities and will provide a vital platform for our region to demonstrate the level of innovation and opportunities available across Swansea Bay for all sectors and businesses,” Stewart added.
The Swansea Bay City Deal, which granted the contract to Virgin Media O2 Business, highlighted that dark fiber networks provide “practically limitless capacity and speeds, allowing significant amounts of heavy data to be stored and shared securely between public sector sites.”
The new network will link the Welsh Ambulance Service University Trust, the Swansea Bay University Health Board, and Swansea University.
Related: Vodafone Accelerates 5G Roll-Out Across Rural Wales
Dark Fiber
Dark fiber refers to unused, unmanaged optical fiber pathways that provide operators with secure control over network protocols, bandwidth, and services. These networks can be expanded as needed to accommodate changing requirements.
Catherine Amran, Customer Director at Virgin Media O2 Business, explained that the new network will offer a range of benefits such as enhanced capacity and speed due to its dark fiber coverage across the entire national footprint, with no regional limitations.
Amran also mentioned that such collaborations are crucial for public services as they support growth and ensure organizations have access to dependable connectivity.
The network is the newest addition to a series of digital transformation initiatives under the Swansea Bay City Deal—a GBP 1.3 billion investment from the UK and Welsh governments aimed at enhancing regional digital infrastructure.
Alongside the dark fiber network, the plan includes a cutting-edge life sciences research facility in Llanelli and versatile office spaces for tech and digital businesses in the Swansea city center.
Read More: UK’s Full Fiber Internet Coverage Reaches Noted Milestone
