Reading, UK, September 15, 2004 --- 8el today announced it has won a contract to supply award winning engineering firm Buro Happold with a new, fully managed voice and data network. The order was confirmed after 8el beat 5 other suppliers to become the preferred network solution.

Due to go-live later in the year, 8el will provide Buro Happold with a fully meshed network, together with a centralised Internet gateway to their chosen ISP. The managed network will allow Buro Happold’s 800 UK employees uncontended Internet access and a high ‘Quality of Service’ (QoS) enabled data network.

8el’s ATM based, ‘QoS’ enabled network is capable of handling site-to-site voice and data traffic and offers benefits over other solutions that include predictable low latency, superior quality and increased resilience. Furthermore, the solution includes access to 8el’s experienced support team and core monitoring capabilities, yielding better intelligence and control over the network.

Founded in 1976, Buro Happold is a world leader in consultancy for the built environment. With an international network of offices and a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving, the practice provides appropriate, economic and environmentally sensitive solutions that are applied across all physical realms – air, land and water – for all types of building and infrastructure projects.

Buro Happold is currently involved in engineering major landmark projects which include Arsenal FC’s new stadium, the redevelopment of Ascot racecourse, the Eden Project, the regeneration of London’s Lower Lea Valley and, as the structural, civil and M&E (mechanical and electrical) engineer, is working on more than 20 City Academy projects to build new schools throughout the UK.

8el (pronounced ‘A-Tel’) is an innovative, specialist network operator providing efficient voice and data services to the corporate market. UK businesses use 8el to satisfy the communication challenges presented by their office, home and remote communities and derive strategic, financial and quality benefits.

8el is an established and trusted supplier to leading businesses, delivering voice and data network services to over 30,000 users. Solutions are deployed across a number of vertical markets including the engineering, recruitment, transport, publishing, accountancy and legal professions.

For more information on 8el’s converged solutions contact Chris Sayer on 0845 33 000 93 or email [email protected]