ITV deploys fibre optic network to support transformation

ITV has selected Geo Networks Limited to deploy a dedicated fibre optic network between its core datacentre sites in Slough and Greenwich.

The broadcaster will now benefit from a managed 10 Gbps service on fibre capable of scaling up to terabit capacity. It hopes that this will ensure richer and more seamless content for viewers.

ITV opted for the dedicated fibre network, rather than an industry-standard shared platform, as it will guarantee a sub-2ms round trip between the two datacentre sites. This should guarantee an extremely low latency service.

"A robust network that eliminated single points of failure and reduced our business risk to the lowest possible level was critical to us," said Andrew Ioannou, ITV's director of strategy, technology, platforms and business delivery.

The network has been deployed to support ITV's five-year transformation plan, which aims to maximise audience and revenue share by exploiting its content "across multiple platforms" and by creating a "lean, creatively dynamic, and fit-for-purpose organisation".

The transformation plan comes in response to the increasing availability of free content online, which has eroded ITV's core proposition of free-to-air broadcasting.