Telcom expands infrastructure reach

Manchester-based Telcom Group has announced a strategic investment in telecoms and fibre infrastructure company, SDH Project Services.

Yorkshire-based SDH, which delivers telecommunications infrastructure projects and fibre infrastructure monitoring solutions at scale for City Fibre, Centrica and Vodafone among others, is a key component in the UK government’s objective of universal high-speed connectivity for every household and business.

Telcom Group, via its three divisions, provides telecommunications infrastructure, business and household high speed internet access and efficient in-building connectivity solutions.

With much of the UK population staying at home, for households to remain in contact with family, friends and essential services plus the requirement for the UK to come out of this period ready to do business, the directors of Telcom Group believe it is essential that “we strengthen our ability to rapidly deliver the necessary infrastructure as rapidly as possible.”

Joint chief executive of Telcom Group, Doug Ward will now head the infrastructure division which SDH Project Services falls under with joint chief executive Shaun Gibson leading from the group’s Manchester headquarters.

Telcom’s chairman, Christopher Baldock, said: “We shall be working with the team, our key suppliers and customers in order to scale up our capacity as rapidly as possible.”

Colin Brown, managing dirtector of SDH, added: “I believe this is a major step forward for the company. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our suppliers and customers for their support to date and look forward to working with you in the next phase of our company.”

The deal comes as the national spotlight falls on the strength of internet connectivity in households and as a public service. The Independent Networks Co-operative Association this week expressed its support for the measures announced by the government in agreement with the telecommunications industry to protect consumers during the Covid-19 international health crisis.

“At a time when all reaches of the country are affected by this hugely unfortunate situation, it is as important now as it has ever been for national cooperation and support,” said INCA CEO Malcolm Corbett. “INCA and its members fully support the efforts of the government and the industry to ensure everyone can access broadband services, especially as the country adheres to the vital ’Stay at Home’ advice to protect the NHS and save lives at this critical time.”

Highways workers including telecoms engineers working in the road have also been recognized as key workers and are continuing to carry out that work: controlling the activities of public utilities as they continue to maintain supplies to homes, hospitals and other places of work and helping to keep disruption to the movement of goods to local shops and supermarkets to an absolute minimum.

Mark Stevens, chair of Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport’s engineering board, said: “We need the public to understand that our contractors are working for local authorities, to keep our roads safe. Everyone working in highway maintenance is performing a critical role for the nation. They are our ‘Highways Heroes’ and they need our support.”