The answer to this question, and many more regarding digital connectivity and broadband will be presented on the Thursday the 25th and Friday the 26th of September 2014 at a huge conference taking place at the AECC.
Bringing together the business community, digital network operators and the public sector, the exciting conference and showcase will look at plans to create a world-class digital infrastructure in the city of Aberdeen.
The event; The Transform Digital Conference will be delivered by INCA (Independent Networks Cooperative Association) in partnership with the Accelerate Aberdeen programme team and Aberdeen City Council.
It presents an opportunity to local business owners to find out what is being done in Aberdeen (and wider Scotland) to create an efficient digital infrastructure and look at how local businesses can tap into this.
Local businesses and telecoms industry representatives are welcome to this event which will also explore how rural areas are being included in the next phase of the digital revolution and how small businesses can benefit from new services and funding to help get connected.
Did you know that Aberdeen is to be transformed into Scotland's first 'Gigabit City’?
Network infrastructure provider CityFibre has recently announced plans to build a city-wide, state-of-the-art pure fibre network in Aberdeen creating Scotland’s first Gigabit City. The project is a collaboration with Internet For Business (IFB), a local and national ICT service provider.
The partners see the Gigabit City project as critical for Aberdeen which has the second highest broadband take-up rate in the UK, but an absence of any cable infrastructure. With a new competitive Gigabit fibre infrastructure at its heart, it will leapfrog other Scottish cities to become the best digitally connected city in Scotland. This modern digital infrastructure will bring transformational gigabit speeds within reach of over 6000 companies as well as hundreds of public sector sites including schools, universities, libraries, hospitals and government agency buildings across the city.
CityFibre has been working closely with IFB to underpin its multi-million pound investment in the city with plans to upgrade and migrate hundreds of business customers onto the new infrastructure. It can also act as the backbone for any future deployment of fibre to the home for the city’s residents.
CityFibre CEO Greg Mesch commented: “We selected Aberdeen as it represents the perfect opportunity for a Gigabit City project. Its economic power, business makeup and absence of alternative network mean that Aberdeen will be in a position to take full advantage of this transformational digital infrastructure. Alongside IFB, CityFibre is honoured to be able to add to the proud history of this city by building a modern digital infrastructure that will future proof Aberdeen, its businesses and residents for the next 100 years.”
Graeme Gordon, CEO of IFB, said, “We are delighted to be working with CityFibre to give businesses in Aberdeen the opportunity to grow. We know how important connectivity services are to businesses in Aberdeen as there is always an increasing demand for more bandwidth. This new fibre network will provide a long-term foundation for businesses’ digital requirements, sending a signal to businesses that Aberdeen is a city with room to grow and progress, and providing future investors confidence in the services that the city can offer."
Commenting on the initiative, Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing said: “We are hugely excited to see CityFibre and IFB bring this project to life ensuring that Aberdeen city and shire have a next generation digital infrastructure in place to further economic growth over the coming years. CityFibre’s decision to make Aberdeen a Gigabit City helps us to realise the ambitions laid out in Accelerate Aberdeen of being at the leading edge of the digital revolution, with the world-class connectivity essential for continued growth and helps lay the foundations for significant improvements for residential customers in the future.”
What is a Gigabit City? - CityFibre give us the answer:
We live in a digital age. Businesses are increasingly aware of the importance of digital infrastructure in the UK's towns and cities. Digital connectivity is either a barrier to growth and innovation or a catalyst for economic and social development.
CityFibre's vision is to build Gigabit Cities throughout the UK. Through the deployment of a fit-for-purpose, transformational pure fibre infrastructure, we will bring the benefits of Gigabit speed connectivity to entire communities.
Gigabit networks increase governmental efficiency, supporting a new era of digital public services, enhancing educational capabilities and improving healthcare delivery. Gigabit Cities will spark the UK’s economy, helping businesses to compete globally by unlocking access to new services. When gigabit connectivity ultimately reaches the home, residents can enjoy significantly improved broadband services enriching their quality of life. You can read more about this on the CityFibre website.
Transform Digital: Aberdeen Conference and Exhibition
The conference and exhibition is particularly suited to local businesses looking to enhance their digital connectivity and explore challenges and potential solutions, plus suppliers wishing to engage further in the Aberdeen marketplace to showcase their individual services and any recent projects.
A drinks reception, supplier showcase, exhibition and industry workshops will run alongside the conference and there is still chance to get involved through speaking opportunities, exhibiting or sponsoring parts of the event.
To book your place on the Conference Click here: 
or paste this link into your browser: http://bit.ly/TransformDigiABZ
Tickets for the Conference are priced at £25 + VAT.
For more information on the Accelerate Aberdeen Programme please contact Gordon Wright, Senior Project Manager, Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, Aberdeen City Council on 01224 523642 or email: digital@aberdeencity.gov.uk
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