The Edinburgh-headquartered company will install, manage and support a brand new robust, scalable and flexible full fibre network to support the delivery of CCTV and Traffic Control services across the city. The new network will replace GCC’s ageing legacy networks, and support leading-edge Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and 5G network capabilities across the city.
The single-supplier contract, which begins this month, marks a huge step forward in delivering significant benefits to Glasgow – giving the council cutting-edge technological capability to make more informed decisions on its data, and deliver more efficient, targeted services.
Key to this is the availability of high-speed fibre backhaul capability, which Commsworld can bring, that will help drive forward the implementation of 5G across the city – greatly accelerating the reach of 5G to all areas of Glasgow, reducing the digital divide.
Commsworld will also support a range of IoT sensor-enabled automation including noise-monitoring, pollution monitoring, the measuring of footfall, building management, flood and water management.
Ricky Nicol, Chief Executive of Commsworld, said: “We are delighted that Glasgow City Council has put its faith in Commsworld and the high-quality service which we provide. Together with our digital partner CGI we look forward to delivering a state of the art, world-class digital network for Glasgow, a network that can move it a step closer to becoming a global Smart City.
“We have a proven track record in providing resilient, robust full-fibre capabilities through our Optical Core Network. Through this network, we can build, manage and monitor a system that fully meets the 21stcentury needs of Glasgow’s councillors and residents.”
A further part of this groundbreaking deal will see Commsworld tackle digital attainment and economic regeneration in the city by taking on an apprentice, provide a mentoring programme for digital skills and offer work experience placements to those from digitally deprived backgrounds.
Ricky added: “As an indigenous Scottish company we want to help tackle the growing digital divide between rich and poor, and bring true equity to cities like Glasgow. This is especially the case during this period of jobs instability cause by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We firmly believe offering apprenticeships and work placements, and mentoring opportunities, will create a ripple effect that in turn will see the creation of a workforce in Scotland fit for the digital future, and plug our digital skills gaps.”
Councillor Angus Millar, Chair of the Digital Glasgow Board, said: “We recognise the vital role that our digital infrastructure plays in the smooth running of Glasgow, which in turn impacts on the city’s prosperity and productivity.
“Working closely with Commsworld, we are firmly committed to enabling a CCTV and traffic control system that makes Glasgow’s road network more efficient, while at the same time bringing quality job opportunities to our city.”
