Minister launches new digital communications network in Eastbourne

Communications Minister Ed Vaizey launched a groundbreaking new digital communications network in Eastbourne aimed at boosting the local economy. Mr. Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications & the Creative Industries, praised the CloudConnX network as a shining example of how dedicated independent broadband networks can help business thrive.

More than 130 local business leaders and dignitaries attended the launch at the Birley Centre to hear how the CloudConnX network will provide a broadband service so highly featured it will transform Eastbourne into one of the most digitally enabled commercial centres along the south coast. As well as land based fibre optic broadband technology, the CloudConnX service will also offer the town’s business community the added flexibility of ultra-fast, ultra-high capacity wireless based broadband circuits and associated Datacenter services that are not available anywhere else in East Sussex.

Free Wi-Fi will also be available along Eastbourne seafront to the general public as part of the service in which Eastbourne Borough Council has invested to help boost the local economy and generate valuable revenue for the community.

Speaking at the launch, accompanied by Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd, Cllr David Tutt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, and Martin Lulham, Managing Director of CloudConnX, Mr Vaizey said CloudConnX was a creative solution to providing the “IT railways to the 21st Century” that are crucial to business. And he said the provision of public Wi-Fi and deployment of Superfast Wireless Broadband by CloudConnX is something the government has overlooked.

He said: “What Eastbourne has done is to understand that it is not worth waiting around for the big players to put things in place. Eastbourne is now a fantastic place to do business and for other businesses to come and invest. We can learn from what you have done in Eastbourne with public Wi-Fi and Superfast Wirless Broadband, which will help keep businesses and people connected in Eastbourne and keep the town centre vibrant.”

Martin Lulham, Managing Director of CloudConnX Ltd, said: “CloudConnX is a unique service, giving local business a competitive edge through access to the most advanced yet affordable wireless broadband communications technology available.”We are thrilled to be working with so many local businesses, with the support of Eastbourne Borough Council, to deliver what we believe is a pioneering service that will grow and continue to provide significant advantages to our local economy.”

Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd said: “I am very proud of what we are doing in Eastbourne. There are so many positive things happening in our town because local businesses are rolling their sleeves up and working together, and CloudConnX is an outstanding example of that.”

The CloudConnX Data Centre will give Eastbourne its own ‘Cloud Computing’ service, allowing any business to devolve the costly and complex overheads associated with running in-house computer systems to a locally based, high security Data Centre staffed by expert CloudConnX personnel.

Cllr David Tutt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough, said: “The ability for local businesses to have access to affordable market-leading broadband and communications technology will give the town a clear advantage in the world of commerce, from the local to the international level. EBC is delighted to support this innovative project which is helping us meet one of our corporate priorities for the town.”

Photograph – left to right

Stephen Lloyd Eastbourne MP – Robert Cottrill CE Eastbourne Borough Council – Martin Lulham MD CloudConnX – Ed Vaizey Minister for Culture, Communications the Creative Industries – Jim Mathieson – Director CloudConnX – Ray Mason – Director CloudConnX – Cllr. Colin Murdoch – Eastbourne Councillor (Con) – Cllr. David Tutt – Leader Eastbourne Council (LibDem).