Press release

ntl to provide state-of-the-art converged IP network for Macclesfield Borough Council

• Announcing contract to implement an IP network for Macclesfield District Council 
• ntl’s EtherVPN product to deliver advanced Ethernet-based solution 
• Enabling the delivery of online services for local citizens in line with 2005 e-government targets

ntl’s business division, a leading provider of business communications services, has secured a contract to design and implement an advanced IP network for Macclesfield Borough Council. ntl will connect 19 sites across the Council region, enabling secure, cost-effective voice and data communications.

The IP network provided by ntl’s business division will replace Macclesfield’s existing separate voice and data networks and deliver robust and reliable links between the Council’s disparate sites. The high-bandwidth infrastructure will also support an IP telephony system within Macclesfield Town Hall and other key sites delivering significant additional cost savings.

The contract was awarded to ntl following its successful completion of a project to upgrade the Council’s cabling in Macclesfield Town Hall, providing the foundations for the development of the new network.

In line with 2005 e-government targets for local Councils, the new network will allow Macclesfield Borough Council to offer many of its services online enabling a quicker, more convenient process for local citizens. Looking forward, the Council aims to further develop its online and interactive services providing access to the network from major public and community buildings.

The ntl infrastructure will also support the roll-out of an extensive ‘Customer Relationship Management’ solution. This will enable local citizens to access key services, information and resources by telephone, e-mail or online, making the Council more accessible to the whole community.

ntl will implement the advanced IP solution using its EtherVPN and Broadband Power products. Ethernet-based EtherVPN will deliver connections of up to 100 MB to Council sites with the highest bandwidth requirements. Broadband Power can be fully integrated with this network solution to provide cost-effective links from offices with lower bandwidth needs. Utilising the ntl network rather than the public Internet, the solution offers enhanced security for the Council’s sensitive voice and data communications.

David Naylor, Head of ICT & e-Government Champion at Macclesfield Borough Council, commented: “In the run up to the 2005 e-government targets, this investment in a state-of-the-art communications network is vital in bringing Macclesfield, quite literally, up to speed. Having worked successfully with ntl in the past, we were convinced that the local team would more than deliver on our requirements, both in terms of the technical solution and project management skills.”

Lucy Brown, Director of Sector Marketing from ntl’s business division commented: “ntl has been providing tailor-made communications solutions to the public sector for over 20 years.

Implementing advanced communications is crucial to the current drive to modernise and deliver more citizen-focused services. The ntl solution will provide Macclesfield with a cost effective, reliable network that will support its future development.”