Brand-Rex wins at Silverstone
Brand-Rex today announced that installation partner ICS has been awarded the contract to supply and install a 7.5km high performance, high security Brand-Rex MicroBlo Air blown fibre cable infrastructure throughout the historic Silverstone motor racing circuit campus. One of the world’s most famous motorsport venues, Silverstone is home to the Formula One British Grand Prix, the MotoGP Motorcycle and numerous other racing events.
“This is a prestigious and exciting win for ICS and Brand-Rex,” said Paul Lines, CEO, Brand-Rex. “To be chosen as the preferred infrastructure solution to underpin one of the world’s most important motorsport venues demonstrates the quality, robustness and excellence of our blown fibre product range.”
Driven by the on-going multi-million pound investment to modernise Silverstone and the design of a new Grand Prix circuit, Silverstone needed a replacement fibre installation to support the 18 track security cameras that would be relocated by the track alterations. Part of the original fibre installation was carried across the track on a bridge that was going to be demolished. “Changing the track circuit design involved removing gantries and required a redesign of the existing fibre routing,” says Mike Gaskin, Director of installation partner ICS. “At this point Silverstone chose to accelerate its plans for a total fibre ring surrounding the campus using Brand-Rex Air Blown Fibre technology.
The Brand-Rex air blown fibre solution, MicroBlo, was chosen specifically for the project due to its flexibility and scalability, allowing additional connectivity for further services and devices in the future without disruption. The unique MicroBlo system uses compressed air to blow specially coated optical fibres into pre-installed plastic tubes and microducts, providing a flexible and cost effective method of installing optical fibre with extensive future-proofing potential.
Currently five nodes, supporting 80 per cent of the site, have been installed and commissioned. The final two nodes that complete the fibre ring will be commissioned as part of the contemporary pit and paddock complex that will house the new race control centre and provide a central distribution point for voice and data services throughout the venue. As additional fibre is required, it is simply air blown into the existing fibre duct infrastructure, reducing initial capital expenditure and the need to install dark fibre.
“The new Brand-Rex fibre infrastructure will enhance communication around Silverstone on race days, as well as help us to diversify our offering in the areas of leisure, education and in creating a technology hub for motor sport that will ensure Silverstone remains a vibrant and healthy business for many years to come,” says Kevin O’Brien, IT Manager, Silverstone.