UK's underwater fibre research and development programme receives 1.2 milions pound in funding
2022-04-14
Yorkshire water, the UK water company, and its partners have been awarded a £1.2 million government grant to kick-start research and development of UK underwater fibre optics. The work, which will be funded by the government and carried out by utilities, engineering firm Arcadis and researchers from the University of Strathclyde, will investigate whether its underwater fibre-optic network can transmit fibre-optic cables. If the project is successful, it promises to provide a solution for fiber broadband into hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, the cables can help Yorkshire Water detect cracks and leaks in pipes, so they can be repaired faster, reducing water usage. The funding came from the government's open competition for 'Fibre in Water', launched last year. The competition aims to allocate up to £4 million in research and development funding to projects to develop and build pilot projects to facilitate connectivity between the UK's most difficult to reach areas, provide advanced fixed and mobile communications services and reduce leaking drinking water pipes . Yorkshire Water's original plan was to insert fibre-optic cables into "transmission pipes". These pipes will protect the cables and ensure they do not come into contact with water. The water company is investigating in South Yorkshire and plans to conduct a pilot, which will be the first such deployment in the UK. If the plan passes the preliminary investigation stage, fibre-optic cables will be laid within 17km of Yorkshire Water's live network between Barnsley and Peniston in South Yorkshire. "In recent years, fibre-optic technology in water has made significant progress, and this project will allow us to develop its full potential to help improve broadband access in hard-to-reach areas and further reduce network leakage." Yorkshire Water's Innovation Project Manager Sam Bright said. UK Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez also commented: "Land and road excavation is one of the biggest obstacles to a faster rollout of broadband, so we plan to invest more and explore how to use the existing water network to speed things up. deployment, how to enhance detection and prevent water leaks. We are committed to breaking down barriers for better broadband connectivity and the government is leading communities towards the top level of digital connectivity.”
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