Network Evolution: SSE Enterprise Telecoms, Three UK Partner to Embrace 5G

Initial agreement will bring 20 of Three UK’s core data centres ‘on-net’ for 5G preparation, cementing Three UK and SSE Enterprise Telecoms’ commitment to the UK’s digital economy as leading connectivity providers

SSE Enterprise Telecoms – one of the UK’s leading connectivity suppliers, and part of SSE plc – has announced a major contract agreement with Three UK, which will see the two companies working together to support the mobile network’s growth and expansion goals.

In the first phase of the partnership, which commenced in April 2018, SSE Enterprise Telecoms has begun facilitating fibre optic connections for Three UK’s 20 core data centres, which form part of its broader network footprint. The deal is expected to support Three UK’s network transformation, preparing it for an eventual 5G rollout and helping to deliver an enhanced 4G network experience for consumers.

The data centre connection contract is part of a multi-million pound phased agreement that will also see SSE Enterprise Telecoms and Three UK unbundle BT exchanges in the coming years. Three UK has recently reported adding 900,000 new customers in 2017, with its 10 million customers averaging 6.8GB data usage per month – more than three times the mobile data consumption of the average UK user. As such, Three UK is investing in its next generation network to prepare for ever increasing consumer demands and the future growth of its business, including the rollout of 5G, as more pressure and demand is placed on existing infrastructure.

The deal also demonstrates SSE Enterprise Telecoms’ ongoing commitment to bringing strategically placed commercial data centres onto its network, as well as playing a part in improving UK connectivity. SSE Enterprise Telecoms is one of a handful of dedicated UK connectivity providers seeking to assist the government’s aim of “encouraging the market towards ubiquitous ultrafast services”, as well as improving the connectivity options of its current and future customer base.

“Our continued investment has made us the go-to network provider to help UK businesses unlock their growth potential,” said Colin Sempill, Managing Director of SSE Enterprise Telecoms. “As a connectivity provider, we understand how integral network infrastructure is to allow technologies like 5G to reach their vast potential. We’re excited at the opportunity to assist Three UK in its journey to bring unrivalled experiences to its customers while offering new connection options to our own.”

“We are putting our network on the best footing possible to meet the current and future demands of consumers. Our customers use up to 3.5 times more data than the rest of the UK, a demand which is only going to increase as we move towards a 5G world,” said Bryn Jones, Chief Technology Officer at Three UK. “The decision to select SSE Enterprise Telecoms to assist us on this journey was straightforward. Their knowledge and ambitions for UK connectivity were clear and made them the natural choice.”