H2O NETWORKS SPONSORS 2ND INTERNATIONAL DARK FIBRE CONVENTION
27 October 2009

London, 27 October 2009 – Fibre optic connectivity provider, H2O Networks is a lead sponsor of the 2nd International Dark Fibre convention being held in London next week, 5-6 November. The international convention will assess a wide range of issues including the increased deployment occurring at metro, access, rural and national level and funding mechanisms.

The event, in its second year, will also act as a forum to discuss developments in the industry including regulatory change. This year, investment is a core theme and delegates can hear from leaders in this focused sector on subjects such as the return on investment that dark fibre provides and the impact this has on pricing strategies. The programme will also look in detail at customer segments, and geographical areas offering new growth opportunities including central and Eastern Europe, Balkans and Turkey and Africa.

One of the biggest barriers to deploying fibre optic networks is the cost. Graham Dupree, business manager, Government/Thames Valley, at H2O Networks will be delivering a keynote address at the convention on the speed and economics of dark fibre: “It is clear that dark fibre is a key enabler of next generation services and will also be the long term solution for directives such as universal broadband.”

BroadGroup research has revealed an increased emphasis on the importance of dark fibre as the customer demands more media rich services. Mr Dupree continues: “Businesses are demanding higher bandwidth as voice and data running over the corporate network increases due to applications such as Voice over IP (VoIP) and sharing videos and other media rich content becomes more commonplace. The capacity required to do this often means that costs are prohibitively high and our experience is that businesses are looking for lower more predictable costs.“

H2O Networks uses innovative methods of deploying dark fibre and using its patented FS System to lay fibre in ready made ducts including the sewer network means that its customers can benefit from a low cost infrastructure with predictable costs as well as being ale to increase bandwidth when required. H2O Networks provide business networks using Darc (Derestricted Access Route Connections) to deliver fibre optic point-to-point connections and Fibrezones. A Fibrezone is a dark fibre optic cable ring built around a business sector, campus, town or city to which organisations such as local authorities, hospitals, schools and local businesses can connect.

XKL LLC and Dial Telecom are also sponsoring the event which features a special pre-conference workshop assessing the essentials of dark fibre on 4th November.

For more information about attending The 2nd Dark Fibre International Convention being held at the America Square Conference Centre, London, please visit www.darkfibreconvention.com or email enquiries@broad-group.com