Cisco to turn Olympics site into a 'smart and connected' community

Cisco wants to provide IP connectivity to Olympic Park residents and businesses

Cisco is in the race to make east London smart and connected

Cisco has announced its intention to transform the Olympic Park into a “smart and connected community” after London’s 2012 Olympic Games.

The networking firm is currently exploring opportunities with the Olympic Park Legacy Company, which is responsible for the long-term development and management of the Olympic Park.

The scheme will see connected IP services provided to homes, schools and transportation systems in the area.

Cisco also intends to establish an Innovation Centre on the Olympic Park, creating a centre for technical excellence and development that aims to demonstrate how technology can continue to transform local businesses and communities.

The proposal ties in with Prime Minister David Cameron’s plan to create a technology hub in the East End of London to rival California's Silicon Valley.

The government intends to invest £200m in new technology and innovation centres in the area, with an extra £200m of equity finance to be provided for businesses with high growth potential.

According to Cisco, the scheme will not only provide residents and businesses with access to IP services and solutions for homes, schools and transportation, but will also create solutions that help the local council and the third sector to co-ordinate other aspects of community life.

“Working with Cisco to explore opportunities to develop the Olympic Park after the Games will allow us to use their technical innovation and expertise to help create a lasting legacy for the UK long after the Games have finished,” said secretary of state for culture, Olympics, media and sport Jeremy Hunt.

Andrew Altman, chief executive of the Olympic Park Legacy Company, added: “The government’s vision for east London and Cisco’s ambitions to work with us provide a massive boost to our goal to build a sustainable legacy from the London 2012 Games."

Cisco has already invested heavily in the UK around IP services. In London, Cisco has created 100 Network Academy Programmes.

McKinsey & Company, Google, Facebook, Vodafone and BT have all said they will also invest in the area as part of Cameron’s proposal.