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2005

Communications in Business presents accolade to GCap for implementing one of the most technically advanced networks in the world

THUS plc today announced that its customer GCap Media has won the ‘most innovative networking project' award at the Communications in Business Awards 2005. GCap Media was selected following THUS's delivery of its next generation MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) IP VPN solution to GWR Group (now trading as GCap Media plc, after its merger with Capital Radio in May 2005) to support its broadcast, voice and data network. As a winner, this is industry recognition for THUS and its role in enabling GCap to become the UK's first radio broadcaster to multicast live audio over MPLS.

The Communications in Business Awards recognise excellence amongst networking professionals. In contrast to any other awards, they acknowledge the business-enabling achievements of technical professionals in British businesses.

GCap broke new ground when it deployed THUS's next generation network across 31 sites, creating a backbone in which live broadcasts can be sent to a few, several or all of its sites simultaneously – delivering today the broadcasting network of the future. THUS's network allows for ‘traditional' data applications such as e-mail, Internet and file transfer to be carried between GCap's sites. By consolidating all this traffic onto a single network, THUS has enabled the radio broadcast giant to drive down costs by removing legacy voice and satellite networks.

"The judges were highly impressed with the GCap Media network on three counts: technical excellence, creativity and superior project management of what was an exceedingly complex project to undertake," said Richard Thurston, the editor of Communications News and chairman of the judging panel for the CIB Awards. "GCap provided a clear case of the business benefit it gained from the network, and this entry saw off some very stiff competition to win the most innovative networking project award."

"Winning this award is a fantastic achievement for both ourselves and THUS. Working together we have made our long-held vision for a modern data network for voice, data and broadcast a reality and has set an example for the way businesses can roll out their services in the future,” said Vincent Bourne, infrastructure manager, GCap Group. "Without THUS's professionalism and technological capabilities we would not have been able to reach this goal."

Nigel Stevens, product director at THUS, said, "This award provides widespread industry acknowledgement that THUS is a pioneer in innovative telecoms solutions. As an industry first, the GCap next generation solution sets a precedent for other broadcast companies looking to multicast live audio over MPLS as well as carry all their other voice and data traffic.”