BASINGSTOKE, U.K. -- Fibernet Group plc, the communications solutions company, today announced the provision of a private fibre optic backbone network to MaNAP (Manchester Network Access Point). The network upgrade will enable MaNAP to deliver a gigabit level service across the multiple locations of its Internet Exchange. The first phase of the project will see three new premium sites at Internet Facilitators, TeleCity Williams House and Telenor ServerBank linked by the secure, fully redundant fibre ring. MaNAP will use the infrastructure to enable Internet Service Provider (ISP) and xSP members of its Internet Exchange to exchange traffic with other members (known as peering) at an increased capacity. Paul Martin, Technical Director for MaNAP said "The current MaNAP topology has main and secondary switches on a single ring, and currently provides a low level of redundancy. By deploying a new second independent ring it gives MaNAP members the opportunity to have full redundancy through our exchange, and the knowledge that events on the ring will not affect the other." He continued, "Our decision to award Fibernet the project was chiefly made because of their strong track record in building resilient and cost-effective networks." Commenting on the announcement, Nigel Pitcher, Marketing Director at Fibernet said, "We are delighted to be part of MaNAP's growth as the UK's second major peering point, helping the organisation to meet its nationally important strategic goals and its members to take advantage of the cost benefits that peering provides to develop their own businesses." Fibernet Group plc