Emerald Networks Announces Fibre Infrastructure Agreement with Geo Networks

-- Geo will provide two diverse optical fibre routes from Dublin to London utilising the newest, high performance network between the two cities

DUBLIN and LONDON, Dec. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Emerald Networks Limited ("Emerald Networks"), a new-build submarine cable system provider connecting North America to Europe and Iceland with extraordinary new capacity, and Geo Networks Limited ("Geo"), the UK's leading provider of dedicated fibre networks, today announced a long-term agreement for Geo to provide physically diverse optical fibre routes from Dublin to London across Geo's new East-West subsea system and onwards over Geo's UK mainland network, collectively the newest and most advanced high performance fibre network between Dublin and London.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131209/NY29640LOGO-a)

This agreement will enable Emerald Networks to extend its new low latency trans-Atlantic submarine cable system, "Emerald Express," from the major North American markets through to the most important data centres in the UK and onwards to mainland Europe. Geo's new fibre infrastructure will enable Emerald Networks to utilise the most innovative optical technologies and provide the most advanced undersea telecommunications system constructed to date. The Emerald Express system will take advantage of Geo's market-leading position in UK data centre connectivity to facilitate connectivity to all the UK's major exchanges, internet hubs and colocation Data Centres as well as providing the critical interconnect points for accessing markets in mainland Europe.

"We are excited about this agreement as it provides a vital link to our terrestrial backhaul network creating a seamless link from our POP locations in Dublin to those in London," said Dr. William C. Marra, CEO of Emerald Networks. "Geo's network is ideally suited for providing the diversity we require for our customers. We are looking forward to a long working relationship."

"We are delighted to support Emerald Networks in expanding the capabilities and reach of its new trans-Atlantic cable system," said Chris Smedley, Chief Executive at Geo. "Geo's network assets are perfectly aligned with the demanding specifications of the Emerald Express system and will provide seamless connectivity from Ireland to the UK and onwards to the rest of Europe."

About Emerald Networks
Emerald Networks is a new-build network submarine cable system that will connect North America to Europe and Iceland with extraordinary new capacity and will be a low-latency network across the Atlantic. Emerald Networks is an open network architecture platform that is agnostic and enables upgrades with various new technologies. It will be the first coherent designed system initially running 100Gb wavelengths with a unique route that links Shirley, New York to the West Coast of Ireland with a branch connection to Grindavik, Iceland and a future branch connection to Southern Europe. The system is scheduled to be ready for service by 4Q 2014.

About Geo Networks
Geo is the only company in the UK to focus solely on the design, build and operate of bespoke dedicated fibre network solutions. Geo's revolutionary and flexible approach enables organisations to own and control their networks, ensuring that security, high bandwidth and resilience are guaranteed. By allowing its customers unfettered access to the underlying optical fibre that is at the heart of their data networks, Geo is the only truly open access network provider in the UK. It provides an extensive range of solutions including fully managed networks, dark fibre and co-location services. Geo enables network solutions in the London area and throughout the UK with onward connectivity to Ireland through the newest diverse optical fibre subsea system, the East-West Ring. Customers include media companies, service providers, major banks, carriers, data centres and gaming organisations. Visit www.geo-uk.net or follow @geonetworks for more information.

For more information about Geo
Caroline Beer
Metia
+44(0)20-3100-3796
Caroline.beer@metia.com

For more information about Emerald Networks
Lisa Cruise
+01-678-773-1999
lcruise@emeraldnetworks.com