Broadband services are available from anywhere within the sub-region, and Liverpool is one of only nine cities within the UK that has blanket city-centre wireless internet access. The sub-region’s telecommunications infrastructure is modern and robust allowing businesses to operate in the global market place.

The most advanced trans-Atlantic fibre optic cable, Hibernia Atlantic, has a landing point in the sub-region (Southport Business Park, Southport). This is the only direct high capacity cable linking North West England with the North American continent, providing a low-latency, self-healing, secure link that allows businesses operating within the region to take advantage of emerging CTI technologies.

The breadth of creative industries – including design for technology, film, fashion using leading edge materials, and advertising – is reflected in Liverpool’s status as European Capital of Culture 2008.

Key Industry Features and Benefits

• Liverpool Science Park is the fastest growing science park in the UK, with the 36,000 sq ft Innovation Centre launched in 2006. It envisaged 500,000 sq ft of accommodation will be provided in three phases, making it one of the largest Science Parks in Europe when complete.

• The continued development of a regional centre of excellence, Liverpool Digital focuses on the ICT, digital and creative industries as. Liverpool Digital will create upto 7,000 jobs by 2013 and will accommodate the proposed National Microsystems Packaging Centre, a unique facility in the UK

• The ICDC (International Centre for Digital Content) is a world leader in creating innovative digital content solutions. The centre is involved in developing solutions for Interactive TV, mobile phone and wireless users, which can also include Bluetooth and GPS technologies, for markets as diverse as tourism, health, e-learning and games.

• AIMES (Advanced Internet Methods and Emergent Systems) is a focus for advanced internet technologies, particularly grid computing. This research and technology transfer centre is hosted by The University of Liverpool.

• Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is spearheading a £23.5 million Art and Design Academy scheduled to open in 2008. The Academy will be at the leading edge of teaching, research and knowledge transfer in art and design and will incorporate the Liverpool Screen School.

• Liverpool’s growing film and TV sector means it is now the most filmed UK city outside London. FACT (Foundation for Art & Creative Technology) based in the city centre is the UK’s leading organisation for the development, support and exhibition of film, video and new and emerging media.

• Funding has been secured to develop a Centre for Materials Discovery to help businesses apply state-of-the-art techniques to the discovery of new functional materials for applications such as energy storage, medicine, consumer products and communications technology.

• A Merseyside school is one of just 12 across the globe to be chosen by Microsoft to take part in a drive to develop schools in the future. Bowring School in Knowsley has been signed up to join his Worldwide Innovative Schools Programme, and will benefit
  from Microsoft’s experience in applying technological expertise to education.

IT, Digital and Creative companies include:
IBM, Sony CEE, BT, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Cybertill, Orgmetrics, Lime Pictures (formerly Mersey TV), Mando Group, River Media, Hurricane Films, Bizarre Creations, Fraser Williams Logistics, New Mind, Amaze, Felix Blow, Strategic Systems Solutions.

Key support organisations for companies in the IT, digital and creative sectors are Merseyside ICT and Merseyside ACME (Arts, Culture & Media Enterprise).

For more information about this sector contact Neil Bradley, Corporate Sales Manager on 07736002253