As the UK's most geographically diverse digital infrastructure provider, Pulsant champions regional thinking. Every day, there’s a push for technological innovation to go beyond the M25 and drive the brightest businesses nationwide.
This has led to our focus on the Northern Powerhouse. We have invested extensively in data centres across Manchester, Rotherham and Newcastle. Across all our sites, we have seen the same thing: a wave of businesses poised to capitalise on digital commerce and artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities, leading to a revival of innovation, employment and growth.
Manchester takes the lead
It is no surprise that Manchester is set to lead this Northern Renaissance. The UK’s second city recently took the crown of the most AI-ready metropolis [1].
The city of bees now boasts the most AI-related companies outside of London and the most significant number of AI technology-focused events. Opportunities for employment in data science and cloud analytics are a rich seam of possibilities for people seeking careers and a powerful driving force for new learning facilities and courses in AI disciplines.
Flagship initiatives such as the use of AI at Manchester United, collaborating with Manchester Metropolitan University[2], have catapulted Manchester to the forefront of AI discussions. And tellingly, Manchester lies at the heart of a powerful new northern geography, with Leeds, Salford and Liverpool all appearing in the top ten AI cities for 2024[3].
Investment in infrastructure
The level of investment in the digital infrastructure that this AI demands, has been equally diverse. At one extreme, US investment outfit Blackstone, has committed to a £10 billion investment to build a major AI data centre under the QTS brand in Cambois, Northumberland, on the site of a former power plant[4].
Elsewhere, the Singapore-backed Elite UK REIT has submitted a planning application to build an 80MW facility at Peel Park in Blackpool[5]. Blackpool Council is also progressing the Silicon Sands scheme within the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. This 40-acre data centre cluster has the potential to bring billions of pounds of investment into one of the most deprived areas of the UK.
The driving force behind both these examples – and others is proximity to both power and connectivity. For example, Silicon Sands is incredibly close to the landing point for the CeltixConnect-2 subsea fibre-optic internet cable that connects the USA, UK, and Ireland. CeltixConnect2 is part of the North Atlantic Loop, which also includes Manchester. That proximity means a low-latency connection for intensive AI workloads and more.
High-speed, high-capacity connectivity is at the heart of AI – something seen in the 150 networks on the London Internet Exchange (LINX) interconnection fabric hosted at our Manchester facility. Our partnership with LINX via our facility in Old Trafford and the LINX Scotland regional interconnection hub based at Pulsant South Gyle enables regional businesses to evolve their network using the connective power of peering and more.
Pulsant and LINX are committed to improving the infrastructure and processes that underpin digital business success and economic growth for every region in the UK.
Networks that connect into an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) like LINX means that the traffic is kept local for lower latency, enhanced performance and increased control amidst a hive of media, content and enterprise networks.
And make no mistake, it will be AI and the associated advanced data connection and collaboration capabilities that drives the next chapter in the history of businesses in the north. Data has been referred to as ‘the new oil’. But, in the case of Northern England, AI is the new industry that it feeds.
The potential of AI and digital business to come alongside the coal, steel and manufacturing sectors that have dominated the Northern industrial heritage, is very real – and remarkably close to being realised. The Ren-AI-ssance has begun.
[1] See SAS AI Cities Index 2024 - where is the most AI ready in the UK? | SAS UK
[2] See Manchester United aim to use AI for 'on-pitch advantage' in university link-up - Manchester Evening News
[3] See SAS AI Cities Index 2024 - where is the most AI ready in the UK? | SAS UK
[4] See Blackstone gets green light for £10bn QTS data center in Northumberland, UK - DCD
[5] See 80MW data center proposed in Blackpool, UK - DCD
