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Data centres linking the oil capitals of Aberdeen and Stavanger, Norway are to benefit from a new fibre optic international high speed internet connection.

A partnership between Aberdeen-based Internet For Business (IFB), Norwegian counterpart Green Mountain AS and network provider Tampnet will deliver what will be a world's first international fibre optic connection between two data centres.

Norwegian-based Tampnet is reported to operate one of the largest offshore high capacity, low latency communication network in the world.

The agreement allows IFB to use Tampnet’s trans North Sea fibre infrastructure to connect directly between the IFB Data Centre in Aberdeen and Green Mountain’s data centre near Stavanger.

The project will deliver the first high-speed international network of its kind between Scotland and Norway, and the project partners claim the network will provide faster speeds between Aberdeen and Stavanger than those currently between Aberdeen and London.

The partnership says it will “offer considerable cost savings for businesses using technologies available to date” compared against existing international point-to-point circuits.

IFB chief executive, Graeme Gordon, said: “We have seen a growing demand for improved connectivity to Norway, particularly from oil and gas businesses, and this is why we approached Tampnet and Green Mountain to create a solution.

“The design of the network will provide IFB’s clients with incredible connection speeds which are faster than those between Aberdeen and London.

“In addition to the increased connection speed and reliability, the link is much more cost-effective than the existing expensive point-to-point private line International Circuits”.

Tampnet sales director Trygve Hagevik, added: “We are very excited that IFB has chosen the shortest and fastest route across the North Sea for its backup site at Green Mountain Data Centre located on the west coast of Norway.

“The Tampnet North Sea infrastructure, operating across more than 2,500km of subsea fibre offers unsurpassed transit services between Scandinavia and UK.

“With the key roles played by cities like Aberdeen and Stavanger, the infrastructure is particularly compelling to the oil and gas industry.

“Hence, with the strong position held by both IFB and Tampnet within this segment we regard our partnership as a significant win-win relationship that will undoubtedly strengthen the service offering of both sides.”