Telcom Bring 10Gbps Speeds to Major St Michael’s Manchester Development

Alternative network operator Telcom (ClearFibre, WeFibre, HyperCity etc.), which via its UK brands is building various 10Gbps capable “full fibre” broadband and Ethernet networks across the Midlands and North West of England, has won a deal to deploy their network to cover businesses at the future £400m St Michael’s site in Manchester.

A long-term project by Gary Neville’s development company, Relentless Developments, and its strategic partners, St Michael’s is a £400 million mixed use development in the heart of the city. Combining nine floors of modern office space with a five-star hotel, 217 luxury apartments, and a new public square.

The first phase of this development is the £150m No. 1 St Michael’s building, which is due to complete in 2024 and is expected to be Manchester’s first fully net-zero carbon commercial development (operation and delivery). After that, No. 2 St Michael’s is a £250m, 41-storey tower that will house a 162-bed five-star W Hotel, W Residences and 75,000 sq ft of office space. The second phase is expected to be completed in 2027.

As part of this Telcom, alongside property consultants Zerum, will use their Preconnect® solution to supply No. 1 St Michael’s with a dedicated 10Gbps (symmetric speeds) capable full fibre network, which can be up and running within 24 hours of a new business establishing itself within the site. The network will also reach all the way up to the roof top restaurant, where Japanese-Peruvian restaurant brand, Chotto Matte, will be located.

Steven Calder, Head of Connected Buildings at Telcom, said:

“We are immensely proud to be a part of the St Michael’s development. As a Mancunian-born company, Telcom couldn’t be more humbled or thrilled to be contributing to the revitalisation and development of our city’s historic centre. Preconnect®, our market-leading commercial property solution, will give tenants an unparalleled connection experience by getting them connected to 10Gbps full fibre internet in as little as 24 hours. What’s more is that there’s absolutely no cost to the building owner or management company for the upfront installation and ongoing management.

We look forward to working with Relentless Development, their partners, and the future tenants of St Michael’s to provide seamless, full fibre internet connectivity in support of their business objectives.”

The new network will apparently be delivered via Telcom’s own fibre and rooftop wireless network across the city, although it’s unclear where the wireless solution will come into play if they already have access to the operator’s fibre.