Hertfordshire completes first phase of public sector broadband network

A new public sector network that uses copper and fibre optic broadband has been rolled out by Hertfordshire County Council.

With the first phase of the project now completed, the infrastructure is set to be used by approximately 600 schools and 260 council sites across the county.

Speaking to the Guardian, the council's head of technology Dave Mansfield said: "The project has been highly successful so far, well managed, organised and we've hit our deadlines for migration."

Last week, Computing reported that junior schools in Hertfordshire will see their connection speeds increase to 8Mbps on the copper network, while senior schools will benefit from a 100Mbps service using fibre optic broadband.

In October 2010, the council signed a £20 million contract with network specialist Updata to provide the infrastructure over a period of six years.

The next phases of the scheme will see the public sector network extended to additional buildings, as well as rolled out to district councils and NHS trusts.