A completely new residential area will be built on the former Suikerunie site in the province of Groningen in the coming ten years. With no fewer than 3,000 homes, spread over a period of a decade, the area will be given a completely new purpose. An important part of this large-scale area development is the construction of a future-proof digital infrastructure.
Full fiber optic coverage – also a first for Ziggo
The entire plan will be connected to fiber optics from the ground up. This means that all future residents will benefit from lightning-fast internet. For Ziggo, this is relatively new territory; the network is not only being prepared for the future, but also being fully included in the ground from the start.
The work is currently in full swing. Power cables are being laid from the so-called POP location (Point of Presence) to the plan area. Empty pipes with smaller inlet pipes are being placed for this purpose, into which the fibre optic cables can easily be fed later.
First phase: apartments and ground-level homes
The first visible phase consists of four apartment buildings and some 30 to 40 ground-level homes. The work officially started in January of this year. After this phase, the remaining homes will follow in phases, spread over the next ten years.
Cooperation and coordination essential
The construction of the main lines for Ziggo is done in close consultation with other utility companies and agencies. During reconstructions, such as roundabouts or other redevelopments, it is examined exactly which existing cables need to be relocated and how the new lines can best be laid. After the main lines, the service lines follow that will connect the homes individually.
An important starting point is cooperation: water, electricity, telecom – all parties are involved in the integral construction of the necessary infrastructure. In the demolition of existing apartment complexes, attention is also paid to ensuring that all old cables are neatly removed and reconnected to the new construction.
The transformation of the Suikerunie site is an example of how Groningen is investing in smart urban development with an eye to the future – with a solid digital backbone as a foundation.